THE DIARIES OF MARIAM DAVIS SIDEBOTTOM HOUCHENS

VOLUME 3

May 6, 1940-January 4, 1942

Jane Houchens, January 8, 1938

David Houchens, January 8, 1938

A-1

50th wedding anniversary invitation for Mariam’s parents March 31, 1940

A-2

Lapel button from the General Motors Exhibit at the World’s Fair

U.S. postage stamp for World’s Fair

A-3

Jane and David on rocks at beach in Swampscott, Massachusetts June 27, 1940

Jane at New York World’s Fair- June, 29, 1940

Jane and David at the Battery in New York City-June 30, 1940 A-4

Beverly Jane Houchens- September 20, 1940

David Paul Houchens- September 20, 1940 A-5

JaneHouchens, Ann Tritt, Maria Vanderhaar, David Houchens- March 1, 1941

Jane and David November 28, 1940

Jane Houchens, Margaret Fife, Ann Summeford, Jimmie Curry- June 7, 1941

A-6

David and Jane on a pony in front Yard 3118 Teal, Louisville, Kentucky July 7, 1941

Mariam, David and Jane with Mariam’s parents, M.T. and Kate Sidebottom August 24, 1941

A-7

Jane, first day of school\September, 1941

A-8

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VOLUME 3

Page

Preface i

Table of Contents ii

Family life and family trip to Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Virginia

Book 16- Monday, May 6, 1940-Friday, June 21, 1940 1

Book 17- Saturday, June 22, 1940-Wednesday, August 14, 1940 22

Family Life

Book 18- Thursday, August 15, 1940- Wednesday, November 13, 1940 59

Book 19-Friday, November 15, 1940-Friday, February 7, 1941 93

Jane and David get measles. John goes to hospital for gall bladder problem

Book 20-Saturday, February 8, 1941-Friday, May 9, 1941 126

Family Life

Book 21-Saturday, May 10, 1941-Tuesday, Wednesday, August 6, 1941 161

Jane starts to school. John in hospital for gall bladder operation.

Book 22-Thursday, August 7, 1941-Saturday, October 18, 1941 194

Family Life

Book 23-Sunday, October 19, 1941-Tuesday, November 25, 1941 227

Death of Mariam’s brother, Paul. The United States enters World War II.

Book 24-Wednesday, November 26, 1941-Sunday, January 4, 1942 252

Appendices

Appendix A- Photographs A-1

Appendix B- Paul L. Sidebottom B-1

ii

Copyright 2009

© David P. Houchens

Bound by

Beck and Orr, Inc. 3097 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43204 PREFACE VOLUME 3

This volume includes exciting times for the family with a long car trip to Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Included was a visit to the 1939-40 New York World Fair. During such trips in the 1940s, the lodging was frequently in “tourist homes” where the cost was $1.00 to $2.50 a night for a room. These might have been the predecessors to today’s Bed and Breakfasts although meals were usually not included.

Much of this volume focuses on the daily aspects of life and, as in previous volumes, on illnesses. David and Jane both experienced measles and John was in the hospital for several extended stays related to serious gall bladder problems and ultimately surgery.

The major tragedy in this volume is the death of Mariam’s brother, Paul Sidebottom, who was struck by a car and spent a long period in the hospital before dying on November 30, 1941. Appendix B in the this volume is about Paul. In the same volume, one week later, there is only a brief mention of the entry of the United States into World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

David P. Houchens Columbus, Ohio August 2009

Book # 16- May 6, 1940-June 21, 1940

1 Monday, May 6, 1940

David had quite a number of places this morning. Claudine was considering leaving Margaret here for the duration of the book club meeting at Irene Bennett's today, but I called her and told her not to bring her until we see what David has. I called Olive Curry and talked to her, thinking perhaps it was impetigo. Jimmie had that last summer. I put alcohol and ammoniated mercury on David this morning and later after calling Olive-I used the Epsom salts water on him. Tonight being low on ammoniated mercury, I had John get a new tube at the drug store-also a new bottle of gentian violet.

I went to the book club meeting at Irene's. Mrs. Bennett, senior was there and we talked about tic douloureux which she has had for 17 years. At last however she is getting relief from the vitamin B1-what Papa is taking.

When I got home about four-I worked in the yard for a while-David kept wanting to be get out near the other children and Carl and Suzanne came in our yard in spite of all I could do-but I told Mrs. Williams this morning to keep them at home until I see what David has.

Olive Curry came down while we were eating dinner tonight to look at him and she says that it looks like what Jimmie had. Mrs. Hart thinks that it looks like chickenpox.

Tuesday, May 7, 1940

David didn't rest at all well last night. This morning in spite of all that I did yesterday he was broken out all over and his right ear-the one in which he put the button- looked irritated and had places on it. I called Dr. Andrews and told him that I thought he had better see him. I bathed David and put alcohol on him but put no ammoniated mercury on him. Then I read to them both. I didn't let Jane go to school today-although she went yesterday-shortly after ten the doctor came. When he walked in David announced that he had boils (to Dt. Andrews consternation, I am sure), but the doctor took one look at him and said "chickenpox". I've never felt such relief. Complicated as that makes the children's play-or rather-constrained as to companionship-it yet is so much better than boils, impetigo or such. Dr. Andrews said to get calamine lotion with 10% phenol in it and put it on him. His ear had a little drainage in it. He said to wash that with boric acid water. He had some kernels behind his right ear. These chickenpox are even in his hair and the roof of his mouth, and down to his feet even.

I am to give him mostly liquids, but he has no appetite anyway.

After I found out what he had, I asked Dr. Andrews about Jane's asthma. He first said to let it go-and he said it might be better to have Dr. Simon give her the skin tests.

2 I have put the calamine lotion on David twice today. It stings him and he cries pretty badly. He has been up part of the day. The doctor said that so long as he isn't feverish he may run around the house but can't go outside for several days.

Wednesday, May 8, 1940

David had another bad night-and was in bed all this morning-somewhat feverish. Yesterday Mrs. Hart and Jimmy brought him a little yellow car and trailer which he liked the lot. He has played with his cars and airplanes. He cries rather pitifully though-saying that he wants his "chickenpox to go away".

Jane is pitiful to. I hadn't realized before how much she depends upon playing with other children-even David. I took her over to play with Maria Vonderhaar this morning, since those children had chickenpox at Christmas time. The other children had a holiday from school and she stayed half hour or so playing with the three of them. This afternoon-wearing her little bright red sun suit from last summer-she trailed Mrs. Jackson quite a lot of the time, as she works in her yard.

This was the day of Carolyn Corley's birthday party. It was quite a big event-forty children-and I was really sorry for Jane to miss it. It didn't seem to matter so much to David, although he was invited, too. Jane and I lay down together on my bed-(neither of us took naps) and Jane kept asking me if it were time for the party. It seemed a shame that she couldn't go when she was all right. I asked Dr. Andrews about it yesterday and he said that it would be all right for her to go, but that I would be criticized for letting her. Incubation period for chickenpox is 14 to 21 days, so she has a long time to go. I'm afraid that she won't be over the infection by her birthday.

John took the children's gifts over to Caroline this morning. "Nicodemus and His Grandpappy” from Jane-a little necklace gadget from David.

John and I went to dinner at the Standard Club tonight which the Speed School men gave for their wives.

The Hardings have a new baby son born today.

Thursday, May 9, 1940

David had a good night last night, seemed to feel better today, and his chickenpox gave evidence of beginning to dry out now. He has certainly had a liberal dose of them. He still has no appetite except for liquids. His right eye is bloodshot and he coughs occasionally. I hope that he isn't getting something else.

I went to town this morning. Jane asked to go with me and to make up for yesterday in part I took her with me. We went to the Bon Ton first and got an umbrella for her Granny Houchens for Mother's Day. I have stationery for Mother.

3 Jane and I had a very rushed time, as I bought her a couple of dresses for a dollar at Kaufman's-and David a suit for $1.25. We had promised him chewing gum and of course didn't dare forget that-- pink chewing gum.

I lost my right navy blue glove after just finding them yesterday. Jane lost the bead which goes up under her chin on her hat.

When we got home we found that Mrs. Vonderhaar had brought David flowers (lilies-of-the-valley) and ice cream. It was the first thing he told us.

Jane is a smart, pretty little girl. Please help me be a better mother to her -- not so cross.

Friday, May 10, 1940

David's places are beginning to dry, but I kept him lying around most of the morning. This afternoon after his nap he was dressed and allowed to sit on the back step for a while.

I went over to the University Women's Club luncheon, John coming out for me. It was the annual luncheon. Mrs. Kent bought cream to help the scholarship fund and insisted on giving some to me-said that she knew how much it takes for youngsters. I came home with Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Jackson brought David some lovely flowers.

Saturday, May 11, 1940

Jane as yet has not taken chickenpox, I suppose she won't now for the 14 to 21 days from the time the David took it. She had a card from Miss Nettie today inviting her to bring her father and mother to S.S. class with her tomorrow since it is Mother's Day. Since we can't take them to S.S. because of the chickenpox, she is disappointed. I really see no reason why she couldn't go, but there might be some chance of her carrying it to others.

David has been up and around about as usual today. It will be a long time before he is rid of all his places. At present I am worried about only one lesion-on his cheek. I've been afraid that some of these places will make boils.

John and I went to the grocery stores this afternoon. Then I made a flying trip to Sears Roebuck's and town (1 1/2 hours)-came back-found the children interested in watching their daddy clean out the grease trap. It was only by persuasion that they agreed to go with me to take Clyda home, and Jane was greatly disappointed when we returned to find her daddy through the messy job.

I have finished the wing chair cover today-except that the flounce has to be shortened-and John finished washing the bathroom walls.

4 Today when I was sewing on the slipcover Jane was also sewing and David wanted to sew. Suddenly, as he sat on the davenport with his needle a horrible thought must have come to him, for he suddenly very seriously asked "do boys sew"? Not until recently has he begun to pay much attention to the distinguishing differences in activities and dress of boys and girls. The other day they were both pretending to play a piano and Jane told him that boys do not play the piano. I endeavored to correct that impression in her mind, and must work on the idea some more.

David still sits on his chamber for both urination and bowel movement. In that regard he doesn't seem to know that he is a boy. I noticed right after he went nursery school that he had the idea, from seeing the other small boys, I suppose, but he didn't pursue the practice or even learn how to urinate standing. Somehow quite a long while ago he got the idea that he would fall down into the ground when sitting on the big toilet.

Sunday, May 12, 1940

We got up expecting Papa and Mother today. The day was pretty, although just a shade on the windy side. Clyda worked. John went to S.S. The children and I got dressed and went outside about 11:15 when Papa and Mother arrived, bringing a live chicken, Mother not having had time to dress it.

Papa looked pretty good, and didn't seem greatly tired from the drive. We were all lying down resting-everybody asleep but me-about 2:30 when I heard Patty running to the house crying telling her mother that something was the matter with Sonny that he had fallen.

We all went out back through the field where he was under it three just on the other side of Chickadee, the new street. He said some other boys had been climbing and he had fallen and evidently broken his leg. They put him on an ironing board and took him right on to St. Joseph's. The break turned out to be a lengthwise one, and they have weights on his leg for three weeks before they can even put him in a cast. I am certainly sorry for this to happen to the Harts.

We got the children up from their naps and drove with Papa and Mother first to Churchill Downs. The flowers were lovely. We had to avoid people on account of David, who still has his places though they are drying. He was crying to go to Bowman Field, so we went there, standing way over at the left so that no children would come in touch with him. We watched an American Airlines transport plane depart, had popcorn, drove home by way of the Hutcheson's (They weren't home.)-to Crescent Hill Women's Club, to see the flowers, on to a drug store, where we had coca-colas (to David's satisfaction) and Jane an ice cream cone-and then home.

Monday, May 13, 1940

The day has been really hot. Papa went up to the barbershop as John went to school. I helped Clyda get the laundry ready-and then to the dissatisfaction of the

5 children (at being left behind) I drove Papa and Mother in his car to town about 10:30. We went first to Richmond Brothers, where Papa bought a new suit. Then he stayed there and read the paper while Mother and I did a bit of shopping-she wanting to get a mattress for Jane's bed as her birthday gift.

Then we met Papa, ate lunch at Canary cottage and we went to Dr. Spurling's office. He seemed to feel that Papa is getting along all right.

Mother had promised the children something, so gave me the money and I ran across to Woolworth’s-got Jane a coloring book and crayons, which she wanted, David a sailboat, and chewing gum for both of them.

I drove Papa and Mother to Cousin Inez’s -they wanted to see Uta Cobb’s baby, Mariam, and then they started on home, and I took a streetcar-rather the motorcoach, streetcar and bus home. When I got here I cleaned out the chicken house for the rabbits.

John brought new screen home, and fixed the screen door. The place is now ready to put them outside.

Tuesday, May 14, 1940

We put the rabbits outside in the pen the first thing this morning.

I have worked outside on the flower beds practically all day, except for a nap this afternoon.

Mother was impressed by Jane’s vocabulary Sunday. We were talking about Sunny being in the hospital, and Jane said that he would just have to get accustomed to being in the hospital.

Wednesday, May 15, 1940

It rained last night and grew cooler, and whereas Jane yesterday wore a sunsuit in comfort, the children today wore snow suits.

Clyda was off this afternoon.

David's chickenpox are drying up nicely. Jane hasn't yet developed it. I shampooed her hair today, expecting her to come down with it shortly now.

Thursday, May 16, 1940

Jane had one water blister on her left shoulder near her neck this morning. I don't know whether it is the beginning of chickenpox or not.

We have stayed in most of the day, for it was cool enough for a furnace fire.

6

After dinner this evening we drove up to the Baptist Hospital to take some weigelia to Margaret Harding, there with a new little son. I didn't go in the room with her because of our chickenpox here at home.

Tonight I went to class meeting at Virginia Hildreth's.

Friday, May 17, 1940

Jane had one more water blister on her back today-making two in all. I don't know now whether she is slow in breaking out, or whether she just hasn't many places.

I went in town for a little while this afternoon. I bought two yards of red dotted Swiss to make Jane a dress. I am making her a white dimity pinafore now, appliquéing red apples and green leaves on it.

The Germans are making terrific inroads toward Paris. A battle is raging on a 200 mile front. We keep glued to the radio in the evenings.

Saturday, May 18, 1940

Jane has her two blisters-the original one of mammoth proportion-and just discovered tonight a pinpoint of a blister on her neck.

Perhaps we shall some time get through housecleaning. Clyda finished getting all the living room and dining room curtains up today-and I finished the bathroom.

The children planted flower seeds and cotton seeds (the latter which we brought from Alabama) back of the fence this afternoon.

The Lovells have pink eye-obtained through nursery school.

Sunday, May 19, 1940

Jane has eight or ten more blisters today-smaller than the two original ones-as yet none on her face.

I went to S.S. this morning, John staying at home with the children, as Clyda was off. I went down to the children's department. Miss Nettie sent Jane some flowers- promised to celebrate her birthday a week from Sunday.

This afternoon we took some weigelia out to Cave Hill, but got there after the gates were closed-took it on by the Hutcheson's but of course didn't get out.

The Germans seem to be slowed up some in their march on Paris, although they are only 85 miles from there.

7

Monday, May 20, 1940

Jane is pretty well peppered with chickenpox today, but doesn't have fever. I had her sitting in a steamer chair on the driveway this morning, thinking that the air would be good for her, and that David could be better satisfied outside. Mrs. Fenwick called and said that her doctor said to keep the patient inside for several days, as the air was likely to make the places go in too soon. Then I remembered that Doctor Andrews had said keep David in for a day or so, although not necessarily in bed if he felt like being up. So I hastily got her in the house.

Mrs. Hart brought her a lovely set of five books-"Pasting Without Paste" which she had bought for her birthday but had thought that Jane might enjoy them more now while having to stay in. I am appliquéing the apples on Jane’s white pinafore.

Tuesday, May 21, 1940

Jane had a bad night-some fever-didn't sleep well. She has been on the davenport most of the day, I, near her, appliquéing apples and listening to the radio until I become jittery about the war situation. Today has been the worst for the Allies. The Germans are almost to the English Channel and have cut off the British and Belgian Army on the north from the French army on the south.

David has played outside in his automobile today.

I am afraid that Jane is going to have another bad night.

Wednesday, May 22, 1940

Jane did have a bad time the first half of last night-slept better after 1:30. Today some of her many places seemed to be drying in, so perhaps she is over the worst of it.

Mrs. Hart brought her over a set of Patty's- a weaving set- but it was a little hard for her, caused her to cry, and I had to stop her working on it. I have kept her in and lying down as much as possible, but she hasn't been in bed.

Clyda was off, and I had both children in bed for their naps when Mrs. Vonderhaar and Maria came bringing some lovely strawberry shortcake for Jane. We talked for a while. After they left I got the children back in bed, but they didn't go to sleep, bobbing up when Mrs. Williams stopped by so they never did take a nap, and went to bed early tonight. Jane dislikes the calamine lotion with phenol as much as David did.

Her dimity pinafore is near to being finished.

8 Thursday, May 23, 1940

Jane slept well last night, but doesn't look good today, although she has been dressed. Perhaps I should have made her stay in bed instead of letting her run around in the house. She has complained several times today of feeling dizzy, as though she were dreaming. She slept all afternoon though, and is resting well tonight. Cousin Ray and Mary were here tonight for dinner. I had been working on Jane’s pinafore, but didn't have it quite finished. She insisted on wearing it. I hope that I haven't let her be out too much. I think that I shall keep her in bed tomorrow.

Yesterday David had a big cry when Jane got to talking about hers and my trip by train up to Sparta and on to Owenton one day in the fall of 1937 when he was a mere baby suffering with boils. He cried because he didn't get to go on the train and had to stay here with Daddy-this in spite of the fact that it was almost 3 years ago.

Jane amazed me in regard to that train trip. She has often spoken of the girl on the train who gave her chewing gum and a small book. In fact, we have spoken of that so often that I doubt seriously if she actually remembered that. However, in discussion of the train trip she told David about going in the toilet on the train, and I know positively that I have never thought about this or said anything to her about it since-and yet I did take her to the toilet, and it made quite an impression on her at the time. She was only about four months past two then.

Friday, May 24, 1940

So cool and damp today that we have had a fire in the furnace! It reminds me of five years ago.

I kept Jane in bed all morning and most of the afternoon. She is noticeably looking better today.

David seems to have a boil on his right arm-whether it is a result of his chickenpox or not I don't know. He also has some sty-like inflammation on his left eye.

David stayed in bed with Jane and didn't get dressed this morning-because she didn't. I was sewing in their room and was amused at some of their conversation and play. The new Life Magazine came, filled of course with war pictures. I was really impressed with some of their interpretations of pictures, bombing planes bringing destruction, and so on.

David has been enjoying his automobile of late. Late this afternoon he was outside in it. I saw him sitting spellbound and went out to see the reason why. He was gazing in a puddle of water on the edge of the street, fascinated- told me that he saw the Vonderhaar’s house and that it was upside down. Why was it upside down, he asked? Of course he saw the reflection. He is always asking questions like that-where does the darkness come from? Whose rain is it, and so on.

9

Saturday, May 25, 1940

It is been cool and rainy again today. I went to town this morning to get decorations for Jane's birthday cake, and to find a gift for her. She had mentioned that she wanted a doctor set, but I couldn't find a satisfactory one at a price that I could afford to pay. I finally bought her a toy electric iron ($1.00) which she has wanted for a long time, since the little flat iron which she has can't be heated very satisfactorily. This iron doesn't heat very hot. I also bought her a Decca 35-cent record with "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" on one side, and "The Ugly Duckling" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" on the other. I also finally found at long last "Jesus Loves Me" in the fifteen cent record for her.

Tonight I iced Jane's birthday cake after making it this afternoon. She first said that she didn't want cake until the children could be here, but finally decided and was enthusiastic about a cake for tomorrow.

David definitely has a boil on his right arm.

Sunday, May 26, 1940

This is the first time in Jane's five years that her birthday has fallen on Sunday, the day that she was born-and now she has chickenpox when it comes. However, it has been a very nice birthday for her after all.

Yesterday she received a small box of candy and chewing gum from Mother by mail. Mother had already given us $15 to buy a mattress for her bed. This we haven't purchased yet. In yesterday's mail she also received a card from Mrs. Wanda, her S.S. teacher.

This morning John put the Decca record on for Jane without any preliminary explanation. They both liked it and wanted to play it over and over. Jane says that her favorite though is the "Jesus Loves Me" record, with "Onward Christian Soldiers" on the other side.

Clyda came bringing Jane a pair of white celluloid sunglasses with "horse blinder" style sides. She has the sunglasses that she had last summer, but had told Clyda that she wanted this kind.

I forgot to tell about the iron. I was going to wrap it in the bathroom before breakfast, while John was reading the funnies to Jane. David came in there, so since he, his Daddy and I were all to give it to Jane I let him help me wrap it, but I told him that whatever he did, he mustn't tell her that it was an iron. He promised that he wouldn't. I also wrapped the book, "Just Puggy", which I had for her. I told him not to tell her what that was either. Jane was sitting in the green chair and as soon as he handed it to her, David announced "it's an i..”-and I clapped my hand over his mouth. He kept on though

10 announcing, in spite of all I could do, that it was an iron, as she unwrapped it. He did the same with the book.

Martha called Jane on the telephone to wish her a happy birthday. Jane was on the driveway and I went to call her-discovered a big yellow mottled cat outside the poultry netting gazing in at the bunnies. It ran away.

Olive Curry came down in the course of the morning bringing Jane a darling sundress, panties and Pilgrim cap. The material is white pique with red ships and Pilgrims on it. She brought a white purse from Anne Summerford, with little pink barrettes inside it.

A little later the Corleys drove by, Carolyn leaving a small box of Whitman's candies for Jane.

Anne Tritt came over in our yard, playing near Jane and David. I was alarmed for her, until her father told me that she had had chickenpox.

We had custard and applesauce cake dessert, saving the ice cream and birthday cake for later in the afternoon.

The Roberts and Martha came by-Martha of course not getting out but bringing Jane a lovely little nosegay and a picture dictionary so nice-which she can use through the fourth grade, and which we had intended to get her ourselves.

I failed to mention that Jimmy Hart sent over a paint set box of candy to Jane this morning-this despite the fact that Mrs. Hart had already given her the cutting and pasting set of books last week.

We were here beginning to make some snapshots of Jane when the Fifes came by bringing ice cream and a nice bird book. They had scarcely gone when Miss Watkins, Erwina and Ona Belle stopped by ( but didn't come in)-then Jimmie and Mary Sublett who had phoned that they were coming.

I had asked the little Vonderhaar girls, and Anne Tritt and Carl Williams (all had previously had chickenpox except Carl, who has it now) to come over around 4 or 4:30 and help Jane each her ice cream and cake. Margie came bearing roses and Maria homemade fudge-so sweet-looking. Mrs. Williams brought Suzanne too, although I hadn't invited her because she had a cold. She came bringing a half dollar all wrapped up. I felt bad about Mrs. Williams feeling obligated to send a gift since it wasn't a party.

After ice cream and cake we played the records for the children. Susie had gone home, not seeming to feel good. I took Carl and the Vonderhaar girls home. Anne stayed to play for a while.

11 Tonight, best of all, even after I had the children ready for bed, the Bennetts came for about 15 minutes and showed the pictures which Donald's mother had made. They were really a lovely. She is a versatile person. Today on the U. of L. program a trio sang an arrangement she had composed, "Rose of My Heart". She is going to New York tomorrow.

Monday, May 27, 1940

Today's mail brought a birthday card to Jane from Lorena.

Jane and David played up in the attic a while this morning.

There has been some sunshine today, but mostly rain. I haven't felt good, and have done little.

Jane has coughed some tonight.

In addition to the bad boil on David's arm, he has one on is forehead which is draining a little.

I was reading the new book on "Birds" which Margaret gave Jane tonight. I read them the description of the ruby-throated hummingbird-particularly appropriate just now because we have seen a hummingbird so frequently on our weigelia since it is been in bloom. Then I read them about the Baltimore orioles. I was pointing out on the picture that one was the male and one the female. "No" said David, “they are the daddy and the mother.” I told him that we called them the male and female. He immediately turned to Jane and said "you are the female and I'm the male", which I thought was pretty good.

Mary Sue had a son born yesterday.

Tuesday, May 28, 1940

King Leopold of the Belgians unconditionally surrendered his army this morning, which puts the British and the French army more on the spot than ever. He is being condemned for treachery. Whether it is really such, time will tell.

Anne Tritt played over here a while this afternoon. The weather is a bit warmer, far from hot.

I made a picture of Jane and another of her and David in front of the wiegelia this morning.

Wednesday, May 29, 1940

Anne has played over in our yard most of the day except for lunch and naptime. I made another roll of film of the children mostly Jane and David-in the backyard this

12 morning. Peter and Algernon were in some of the pictures, but they proved problems, as David kept letting them get away.

I finished the play pinafore for Jane today.

We listen to the radio about the war until we are jittery.

John brought some cookies home-long coconut strips. David had one when I was preparing dinner and asked me if it were an "i". This surprised me, as I didn't think he knew any letters. I told him that it was, and he said that he was going to make a T-and to my astonishment did put two cookies together in the right formation.

Thursday, May 30, 1940

This has been no holiday for us, for John was at school, and Clyda and I were busy. Maria Vonderhaar played over here with the children this morning.

Harris, Thelma and Tommie came by this afternoon. The children and I were all asleep.

Tonight after dinner we drove down to St. Joseph's, John and the two children staying in the car, while I went to see Sonny Hart.

David's boils on his arm and in the edge of his hair are healing (I managed to get pus out of them) but he has a sty on his eye, and I had something similar on mine.

Friday, May 31, 1940

David and I both have places on our eyes. He in his usual Spartan-like fashion seems to be all right, but my eye bothers me considerably.

I straightened the attic this morning. The children were up there with me part of the time, and of course David dragged out faster than I can put away. However, I accomplished something-- got the place in better order than it has been for some weeks.

Jane swept the attic steps with her broom.

Betsy Roberts has been to the doctor today. She is suffering with bronchial trouble-a secondary infection in her chest.

Saturday, June 1, 1940

The children are always playing that they are somebody else. I was amused this afternoon when they were both in their beds for their nap to hear David say, "I'm Rick and you are Jenny". They are characters in the comics.

13 David’s sty bursted [sic] during the night, and his eye looked much better this morning. I had a bad headache this morning as a result of mine, but finally got relief after I opened the place on my eye. I convalesced rapidly enough to go with John this afternoon to purchase a mattress for Jane's bed. Mother had given her $15 for her birthday as her gift. We got a Simmons for $16.95 at Bacon's, supposedly the same as the Simmons Deep Sleep at $29, which I don't believe.

Sunday, June 2, 1940

The weather is warmer today, and fair. I went to S.S., while John stayed at home with the children and took them for a walk. I was afraid to let Jane go, as her three weeks will not be up until Thursday, and she still has some scabs.

After dinner we took a quick, run over to the Corleys to get some petunia plants and were also given some bluebells.

John went to the baccalaureate sermon. After he returned we went for a drive-out Bardstown Road beyond Fern Creek and back. We stopped at Rest Haven Cemetery and drove through. Jane saw some green artificial frogs in the pool as we were coming out. David hadn't seen them, and didn't let us rest about them until we finally came back by there. We kept meeting Huber and Huber motor express trucks, and he wanted to see more "Huber and Cuber" trucks.

When we got home the house was full of fumes from the refrigerator. We have it running again.

Monday, June 3, 1940

Today has been summertime. Of course it was wash day. Maria Vonderhaar played over here with the children all morning. I took the children across to Widgeon-to the home directly across from the Roberts. There a wild brown bunny has a nest in the back of their yard with four little bunnies in it. It was a unique thing to see. The little rabbits were just in a shallow hole in the grass right next to their garage, with other grass over the top of them. They are large enough that when we uncovered them to look at them one went bouncing away. While Mrs. Williams held her hand over the other three to keep them from running away, I, by the hardest, caught the other little one.

I went to town this afternoon-had Jane's necklace chain fixed with the money that Mrs. Williams gave her for her birthday.

The Lorings came by for some plants this afternoon, late tonight rather. Mrs. Lovell and her children were also out front for a minute. David was delighted to get to go over in Jimmie Hart's yard again this afternoon to play with him a bit. Jane cried because she still has to stay in her own yard-especially after Sallie Ann dropped by. Jane’s scabs -some of them-are still with her-even though it will be three weeks Thursday since she had her first place.

14

I went to class meeting at Eleanor Rogers.

Jane put on the blue striped overalls suit and sunbonnet tonight which Mother has just made her. It is really cute.

Tuesday, June 4, 1940

Commencement Day.

David playing over in Jimmie's yard a while this morning.

John and I went over to the cornerstone laying of the new Speed School building at 4:30, and then to the Kent's garden party on the campus--very nice.

I am head over heels in work on the children's clothes.

Wednesday, June 5, 1940

I don't think that I shall ever get the childrens' sunsuits in shape. I am hopelessly slow in getting them in condition--the sewing, I mean, and Jane's dresses.

The day has been uneventful-Clyda was off this afternoon-the man who was supposed to bring my strawberries didn't get here-I have been sewing, it has been hot.

One highlight--Jane's new mattress was delivered. Her bed is certainly high with it on.

Thursday, June 6, 1940

We bought new shoes for the children this afternoon. John came home and we drove out to Ermann’s on Bardstown road--bought David a pair of white oxfords just like the ones he had in size 8 B.. They all are "Protecktives". The salesman cut the toes out of his old shoes so that he can use them for play. The new ones were $3.75.

The man said that Jane's arches were perfect, which was encouraging, if true. He fitted her in white one strap, buckle type slippers in size 11 1/2 A.

David's right foot seems to be more flat than his left. The man seemed to think that he was making progress.

Friday, June 7, 1940

The children dressed up this afternoon in their new shoes. Jane fell down several times, probably due to the stiffness of her new shoes.

15 John and I went to the A.I.E.E. dinner at the Standard Club-had a nice time. All the ladies got gardenia corsages. Talk ran some on the war, although the program was a movie shown by a representative of the American Airways.

Saturday, June 8, 1940

We decided more or less on the spur of the moment to go to Owenton today. I went to town this morning.

This afternoon John took David to have his hair cut (German's Barber Shop) and Jane went along. As soon as they came back--some time after three--we started to Owenton.

Out beyond St. Matthews, on Shelbyville Road, a steeplechase race was being run on the Bullitt estate so we stopped along the road (the public was invited) and had a very good place to view the race, being near one of the hazards.

Papa and Mother were surprised to see us, not expecting us. Papa looked fine.

We had a dinner with them, then went down to Mrs. Houchens’ for the night.

Sunday, June 9, 1940

A.J. took Jane and David riding on Kit this morning to their intense delight. Kit has a little mule.

Mary Lou is a cute baby.

We had dinner with Mrs. Houchens, then went back up home. David talked Mother out of her Mother's Day box of candy Brother had given her. That wasn't hard for him to do of course, as she is inclined to give them whatever they want.

We left about 4:30 getting home about seven. We found that it had rained here this afternoon, but we didn't drive in the rain.

Thelma called tonight and wanted to keep David for us when we go to Massachusetts.

Monday, June 10, 1940

I have done little work today. Today is historically important. Mussolini talked, announcing Italy's entry into the war. Since the allies are being pushed back by the Germans, the outlook is bleak.

I have tried to keep the children at home, but they have played with Carl, Suzanne, Jimmie and Anne some.

16

Tuesday, June 11, 1940

The Germans are getting nearer and nearer to Paris.

The children played with Carl, Suzanne and Anne today. Suzy's cold seems better.

I went to town to look at hats this afternoon.

Tonight in talking over plans for our projected trip to Massachusetts we decided to ask Clyda if she wanted to go, paying her own way.

Wednesday, June 12, 1940

I talked to Clyda this morning and she was interested, but doubted if she could manage the trip.

I cut out Jane's red dotted Swiss today. With Mother's help, I am catching up with sewing.

The Nazis are continuing to close in on Paris.

David and Jimmie Hart put a 40-foot length of hose down the vent to our pit (ed.- grease pit) this afternoon. It is gone, of course.

Thursday, June 13, 1940

I didn't start the children back to nursery school this week, since it isn't long until we plan to go away, if we start next week-next Thursday.

I went to town this morning-about 10:30 -and didn't get home until four. I bought Jane pajamas, two-piece, size 8, at Montgomery Ward's for 59 cents-a red bathing suit for her at 79 cents-one for David-trunks only at 49 cents.

Mrs. Curry and Jimmy came down to invite Jane up there for dinner tomorrow evening, since it is Jimmie's birthday.

Today Jane was looking at Jiggs and Maggie, and asked John if a man standing in the background wasn't saying "pardon me, but you look just like Margie". That was correct. She is a great advocate of the funnies-listens to them on WGRC every Sunday at 8:30.

Friday, June 14, 1940

Clyda went to town this afternoon to get her clothes for the trip.

17

The Currys came for Jane at four. She wore the blue dress that she wore to Papa’s and Mother’s golden anniversary-took Jimmie a book-"Jimmie Crow's New Garden".

David was asleep when she left-she took a nap-and when he got we took him and went down to the Schoppenhorst Funeral Home at 18th and Market, stopping to take Claudine and Margaret with us-to pay our respects to Dr. Bradley, who died last night. It was quite a shock to us. We didn't take the children in of course. When Claudine and I went in, John stayed in the car with them and vice versa. David saw a little red automobile like his on the way down. He also wanted me to sing "A Bicycle Built for Two" because of the Honeykrust Bakery sign. He mauled Margaret a bit, as he does Jane.

The Currys brought Jane home about eight.

Saturday, June 15, 1940

John and I were in town about noon.

This afternoon at 5:30 we went to Howard Cobb’s wedding at the Second Presbyterian Church. He was married to Peggy Barnes.

Sunday, June 16, 1940

We asked David the other night what he wanted to be when he grew up. He didn't say then, but the next morning told me that when he grows up he wants to have a truck and be a garbage man.

Tonight I discovered David with the glue bottle. I ask him what he put it on and he said, "nothing" that he just ate a little behind the door.

We went to S.S., Clyda being here. It was the first time the children had gone since chickenpox. Jane wore her new red dotted Swiss, which I have just made her, even though I haven’t hemmed the sash. She looked nice in it-with a red rose in her hair. As she hadn't been there since her birthday, they celebrated it today. She was considerably upset after S.S. because I hadn't given her enough pennies to put in for each of her five years. I had given her a nickel and two pennies, not knowing the custom.

I didn't take David to the Cradle Roll Department, but had him in class with me. He asked why Mrs. Jackson wasn't in the chair upfront (a memory from last summer). He was also delighted when Mary Sublett came in and asked to sit by her for a while.

Howard and Jesse Stolz came by this afternoon.

Sallie Ann was here and played with the children a while.

18 Monday, June 17, 1940

France has surrendered for peace. These are momentous and terrible times.

There have been showers today-making wash day difficult. Clyda went to town this afternoon to get money for the trip.

Jane and David have been playing with Carl and S.

Tuesday, June 18, 1940

Today has been given over largely to preparations for our trip. I went to town on the 10:12 bus and came back on the three o'clock one, so I was there a long time.

Jane and David have been playing with Carl and Suzanne.

Wednesday, June 19, 1940

Too tired to write. The preparations for a vacation exhaust one so much that it would take two weeks to rest up from the work.

By the hardest, we got things in shape today. Clyda left early, to finish preparations at home and I got the bags packed after she left. John didn't get home until 9:30 for dinner, having the car worked on.

Thursday, June 20, 1940

Clyda was here at six, before we had breakfast. John had to take Peter and Algernon to the Lovell’s.

Our set time had been seven, but we got away at eight. It was cool, but thinking that it would warm up later, I put sunsuits with sweaters on the children.

Our brake wasn't good and we stopped at Carrollton to have it repaired. It developed that we had to stay there about an hour and a half, and spend $4.80 for a new part for the brake, in spite of the fact that the $35 John spent on the car the last two days had included work on the brake. We (Clyda, the children and I) walked down to the river, and David was upset about a house that was "knocked over", according to him. When we went back to the garage I took them to a restroom and put a dress and suit on them instead of sunsuits.

We had sandwiches and such with us, and stopped north of Warsaw on the side of the road to eat.

David went to sleep shortly before we reached Covington, and didn't get to see the suspension bridge when we crossed it. We wanted to see Mary Sue, but couldn't find

19 Ryan Street, in the Mount Auburn section. Finally we saw a motorcycle cop and asked him and he directed us to follow him, said that he would find it-so here we went dashing after this motorcycle escort through the street, until we found Ryan- a very short street.

We were glad to see Mary Sue’s baby-and a very nice one it was.

We didn't get away from there until almost four their time. Then we drove hard toward Zanesville, through Wilmington and Washington Courthouse. We stopped once at a service station and had soft drinks. The proprietor was a countrified Swede, and the inside was filled with various old relics-a chair of the Gay Nineties period with its stuffing gone, and similar monstrosities.

We were all tired but we were determined to make up for the time lost earlier in the day, and did maintain our schedule, not arriving in Zanesville however until about dark. We selected a tourist home-Mrs.Herron's-on our route. Here we got two rooms- one with two double beds and it, one with one double bed. We paid $2.25 for our room, Clyda $1.00 for hers. After cleaning up a bit we drove downtown and finally found a restaurant in which to eat. We got fairly good dinners-in a booth-for a reasonable sum- but it was nine before we ordered-entirely too late for the children, and it was almost 10 before we got away. The place was a rendezvous with the young people of the town, and what with the blare of the radio broadcasting, a Joe Louis fight and the general hub-bub it was no good place for children.

Friday, June 21, 1940

I didn't sleep as well as I should have last night. Our tourist home was on the brow of the hill, and all the big transport trucks all-night labored up the hill and shifted into high gear just at our location. We put Jane and David in one bed while we occupied another, with chairs there to catch David (he was on the outside) in case he fell out. I heard him rolling out into a chair once. John got up when I told him and he fixed him. The next time that he rolled out he took Jane's cover with him and I found her uncovered- so I put him in bed with his daddy and I slept the remainder of the night with Jane.

We all had to take baths this morning-having been too tired last night-and as there were other tourists, there was a rush on the one available room. I was dismayed after giving Jane and David their bath to find that, all the water wouldn't go out of the bathtub. I heard later that the bathwater was going downstairs in the kitchen.

Not having arisen until seven, we didn't get away very early. We stopped in New Concord, a college town, for breakfast and crossed the street to the best available eating place. I ordered pancakes for the children. To my chagrin the syrup when it arrived had ants both inside and outside the pitcher. I sent it back and asked for more, but they probably just picked the ants out of the original pitcher.

The Ohio farms are pretty and well kept in appearance. Before lunch time we came to Wheeling, W.Va.-crossed the Ohio twice there, but the toll was only a nickel

20 each time. David was asleep as we crossed them. We stopped and went to a hotel restroom. Then John went to buy himself some sunglasses. I took the children up the street and David was entranced with some small railroad trains in a window of a shop where parts were sold for building model railroads. I believe they had more effect on him than anything we have seen since we started. He was also anxious to see the bridge which he had missed because he was asleep, so we walked back to it for him to see it.

We had a lunch (sandwiches) at a small place at Monongahela, W.Va. The remarkable thing was that some of the same tourists (a man and his wife who had stayed where we did in Zanesville) were eating there when we went in. They had been interested in David this morning.

I should mention that it is again cool today-sunsuits out of season.

David was carsick today-wanted to vomit this morning. We bought ice cream cones for their lunch since the little place where we ate had nothing suitable for them. They had their milk in a thermos (left from breakfast at new Concord), their ice cream cones-and we bought them hot buttered popcorn because John had heard somewhere that it was good for car sickness.

We were getting into the mountains at Monongahela-and the waitress said that we would have them until about Harrisburg. We did drive in them this afternoon-Laurel Mountain,-Bald Mountain Summit-a really superb view from a ship-inn there. I've forgotten what they called it, but it was supposed to be a ship on a mountain-a rather silly idea, but the view was good-even though the big telescope (supposedly free) was a flop.

Our original plan had been to reach Harrisburg for the night, but we didn't care to be as late as we were last night. David finally vomited. Poor little fellow-he had a bad day-said that he wanted to go home.

Decided to stop in Chambersburg. We looked at some tourist cabins but didn't care for them-then stopped at a tourist home-Zentmyer's Tourist Home on U.S. 30. It was better than last night's place even. We paid $2.25 for our room with one double bed. David sleeping with us. Jane slept with Clyda, the latter paid 75 cents for her room.

We cleaned up and went in town to eat. The Latchstring Tearoom was closed for the evening, but we had a very good dinner at Vanderhofs Restaurant. John checked with Western Union at Harrisburg (we always endeavor to have Western Union addresses) and received a telegram which had been forwarded from Louisville by Mr.Hammons-having been sent by the A.I.E.E. chairman at Swampscott saying that he failed to know who the Louisville delegate was.

When we got back to the tourist home I had to do what amounted to some laundry – washing the bath towel into which D. vomited this afternoon.

21 Book # 17- June 22, 1940-August 14, 1940

22 Saturday, June 22, 1940

We ate breakfast this morning at the Latchstring Tea Room. There was a long mirror alongside our table, and the children liked that.

Yesterday we saw the new Pennsylvania Turnpike-not yet opened for traffic- several times, and today outside Harrisburg we saw it again when our road, U.S. 11, hooked on to it. In Harrisburg we saw the state capital and crossed the Susquehanna River.

Although traveling through the section in which one is likely to see Amish people, we saw none. We were impressed however by the trim, neat appearance of the towns, villages and farms east of Harrisburg. The houses were near the street, with a distinctively Dutch air.

We lunched at a place outside Allentown- on the outskirts as we drove in-a very nice big place-very popular. The children had nice chicken soup. I had a hamburger and a milkshake.

There is a Moravian settlement in Allentown and we drove over to see it but learned nothing about it. I went in a bookstore near the college to inquire about the Moravians and found that I was evidently addressing one. She gave me a small tract.

We skirted Bethlehem but didn't see Bethlehem itself.

We then drove across New Jersey via Washington, Hackettstown, Netcong and into New York near Suffern. New Jersey impressed me mostly as filled with road signs "to New York". Once David had to have a bowel movement and use the chamber in the car, which we carried with us. Then we stopped and I had to empty the chamber. The others laughed at me, because I tried to do the deed so furtively when no car was passing- almost an impossibility. I said that I felt as though I were trying to dispose of a body.

After we crossed into New York our brakes suddenly vanished. Fortunately a garage was close at hand, and we got to it. It seemed that only a peg had slipped out-cost 25 cents-and we were soon on our way.

We were to cross the Bear Mountain Bridge. We bought freshly roasted peanuts at one place. David has been sick today, too-or perhaps it is partly a fear complex, for he is constantly saying "I might vomit".

The approach to the Bear Mountain Bridge was nice, with occasional glimpses of the Hudson. I was telling Jane and David that I once sailed down the Hudson from Albany to New York City on a steamer of the Hudson River Day Line, the Hendrick Hudson. They wanted to see it and I told them their chances of doing so were slim. Imagine my astonishment to view, as we crossed the bridge, the Hendrick Hudson right below, headed downstream. The toll across the bridge was $1.00. After we were on the

23 other side we stopped at the lookout and the children watched the Hendrick Hudson go down stream. They also saw a lighthouse out on the island.

We drove on to Danbury, Connecticut-short of our designated Hartford-for the night-and stopped at a tourist home on the outskirts run by a Mrs. Woodburn-evidently having a goiter on her neck. The children were interested in her canary bird. The rate was $2.25 for us, 75 cents for Clyda, Jane sleeping in the room with Clyda. They had twin beds. John, David and I slept on a hair mattress.

We cleaned up a bit and drove in town to dinner-to the cafeteria of the local hotel. We had a very nice dinner although the children didn't eat very well. Clyda and I bought some postcards at the ten cent store, it being Saturday night and the stores open. John and the children talked to the traffic cop in his cage while they waited for us.

Sunday, June 23, 1940

Mrs. Woodburn had wanted to fix our breakfast, but we drove on planning to get it elsewhere, which proved hard to do on Sunday morning in Connecticut. That part of Connecticut between Danbury and Hartford is unusually lovely, and on this bright Sabbath morning I thought I had seen no section lovelier. The houses have a definitely colonial, many-paned windowed look, but are not run down or unkempt-on the other hand, white and well cared for. The churches are particularly lovely-all that one would expect a New England church to be. Every town has its town hall. Many people were going to church, and we felt that we should like to, but couldn't very well, dressed in slacks as John and I were.

The beauties of the landscape were nice, but didn't delay the pangs of our breakfastless state. We passed eating places, but they weren't yet open. I stopped at one place but the man and his son were the only persons visible, and the man obviously Italian couldn't even speak English plainly, and the place in itself didn't look inviting so with some murmured excuse we drove on.

Finally we came to a place on the right-Mrs.Brooks’ Home Cooking and it really looked nice. John sent me in to see-I am always the scout on tourist homes and eating places. I took one look in and liked it.

The atmosphere was that of a quaint tea room. In the partition between the dining room and kitchen were loaves of fresh baked bread and a woman was icing cakes where we could see her. A talkative individual (male) came to take our order. Clyda took only coffee but the children and I had muffins, and John had muffins and ham. Our talkative individual saw to us and the children diligently and John whispered to me that he must be a Son of the American Revolution (there was a framed diploma on the wall saying that Mr. Brooks was a Son).

Just then what seemed to be a local character popped in-a debonair gentleman with a smile (even the kitchen help in this sunny place were singing) and the new

24 gentleman was asking what the chances were for him to get a five cent cup of coffee if he came back for it himself-this with an occasional cheery aside to us-and then he asked our talkative individual about Mr. Brooks and we realized that our talkative individual and Mr. Brooks were not one and the same and that said talkative individual was perhaps after all not a Son of the A.R.

This place was between Danbury and Waterbury.

We stopped in Hartford for gasoline and got a Sunday paper (New York) with funnies for Jane.

Near Stafford Springs I made a picture of the children in front of a very old tavern.

We had dinner at a Howard Johnson place on the outskirts of Worcester. I had fried clams and they were delicious, but they certainly heaped them up-more than I could possibly eat. John finished them in spite of having had fried scallops himself..

From Worcester we had a superhighway to Boston-no grade crossings-signs along the way "Boston Straight Ahead".

When we reached Boston and attempted to start on up to Lynn and Swampscott we somehow missed the Sumner Tunnel, but got to Lynn by a more circuitous route, and certainly a cheaper one, as we have since learned the Tunnel toll is fifty cents. . After we were in Lynn we found A.I.E.E. markers to Swampscott-and finally reached here around four or afterwards. We drove first to the New Ocean Palace- convention headquarters-to get our bearings, then started looking for a place to stay. We stopped at a house just around the corner from the hotel which had a sign saying "Guests". It developed we could get a room with a large double bed for three dollars, but Clyda I had to pay 1.50 for a room, and it was one given up to her only temporarily by another of Mrs. Watts’ regular roomers.

John went to the hotel- Clyda, the children and I walked down to the beach-for it was both in front of the house and to the back of it. As we came back to the house we saw a car with a Jefferson County license and saw Betsy's gray coat and knew that it was the Roberts! I wrote a note and left it on their door. Shortly after we got back to the house they came by-said they thought they had a ticket when they saw the note. They are staying further up from here.

We ate supper at Grover's Restaurant-not very good-place all right, but selection limited.

25 Monday, June 24, 1940

John and I had a very good breakfast at Huntt's Cafeteria in Lynn this morning. Mrs. Watts, the owner of this hostelry, if such it could be called, suggested that she have her milkman leave milk for the children and let them eat breakfast at the house, so before we went to breakfast we went to a chain grocery store in Swampscott. There I bought oranges, pineapple juice, bread, cereal, bananas, butter-took them back-and although a stiff breeze was blowing, Mrs. Watts had a children's table pulled out on her back porch for them to eat outside (she runs a nursery school in the winter and has nursery school equipment).

After breakfast we hurried up to the ten cent stores and I bought them each a bucket and shovel and one sand sifter with parts.

I walked down to the beach with them after we returned -also Clyda- taking their sand toys. The wind was strong, but back in the recesses of the rocks it wasn't bad.

However, we hadn't been there long when John came rushing down asking me to go over to the hotel and sign for the tours which we wanted to take, saying that Betsy was waiting for me. I quickly went back to the house to change clothes, leaving the children with Clyda.

We signed up for a motor boat trip for the children and ourselves, the trip to Gloucester tomorrow to the fisheries, trip for me to historic Boston-the trips to Lexington and Concord.

All of us went to Huntt's for lunch.

The children rested some this afternoon. Rain began to fall to our dismay, and the children had to stay in. I went to a tea given for the women over at the hotel -Betsy also going.

When we got home I got the children in different clothes and we went down to Huntt's for dinner, saw Jacksons.

I then, to John's dissatisfaction, insisted upon enquiring at some other guesthouses concerning rooms, because our rooms are so very linty and sandy-floored. The first place at which I enquired was full, but the woman sent me to a friend. I could've gotten her rooms more reasonably priced, but of course John wouldn't hear to our moving, and I didn't myself relish the idea of packing and unpacking again. I felt better in my mind too because both the other places that I saw seemed to be equally as dirty as Mrs. Watts’ house. After that we drove to Nahant-enjoyed it.

26 Tuesday, June 25, 1940

The day has been rainy. The children, Clyda and I all ate in Mrs. Watts’ dining room. Afterwards, as John had no meeting this morning, we took Betsy with us (Jean having a meeting) and drove to Salem. We lost our way en route. This is the hardest place in which to drive that we ever saw. It is impossible to go around a block and come out at the place where you think you ought to be. On the way to Salem we asked some young men standing by a car if that were the way to Salem. Oh, yes, they declared oh, yes indeed. Wait a minute, one of them said however, and he dashed over to look at a map. Then we noticed their license and saw that they were also tourists.

When we finally reached Salem we saw an information booth on the street. A young man came out in the rain to give us some rather confusing advice on directions. However, we reached the house of Seven Gables, and disembarked from the car in the rain. Jane was frightened when we started up the secret staircase and wouldn't go. Clyda was also more interested in the gift shop than in the house and its furnishings, so she and the children stayed there until we came back downstairs, when I collected the children.

From the house which Hawthorne visited and used as the locale of his novel by the same name we drove to what was supposed to be the old dungeons in which people were thrown during the witchcraft scare.

When we got back we had some hamburgers (accent on the first syllable according to David) and then at two o'clock went to the hotel and boarded one of the large buses which the A.I.E.E. furnished for conveying delegates and their families to Gloucester. We wrapped the children up very warmly before going over because we thought that we were going to take them on the motor boat cruise. However, after the rain kept up so intermittently we decided to take them on the trip to Gloucester. Clyda didn't go, as the trip was only for delegates and their immediate families. The trip out was nice-through a section of large estates, beautiful grounds, gorgeous shrubs and purplish vines in bloom. At Gloucester we went first to the codfish packing plant. Here the children were interested. We received recipe booklets, small pin fishes, fried codfish balls on toothpicks (Betsy took two). From there we went to the Ocean-Clear lobster place. This all made a big impression on the children. There was a seal at this place also.

After we got home we went to Blaney's for dinner-had a good dinner. David had to go up to the restroom and have a bowel movement. One thing which David has learned to do on this trip is to go to the toilet by himself standing up. Up until now he has sat on his chamber like a little girl-wouldn't get near the commode to use it because he thought that he would fall down into the ground. It is a big help not to have to unbutton his trousers all around the waist every time he wants to go to the toilet, but I am sorry in a way to see him growing up-it seems that one of the last vestiges of his babyhood is gone.

After we had taken the children and Clyda home we went over to the hotel where we saw some yachting and fishing movies made by a local photography fan-and they were really good.

27

Wednesday, June 26, 1940

We paid Mrs. Watts last night. It developed that there was some misconception on my part as to her rate for our room. Instead of three dollars she wanted four for it. Finally because she seemed to sense that I really had misunderstood she compromised on $3.50.

Children and I breakfasted here again. John had lunch at the hotel. I took the children over to the hotel before lunch. Then I took Clyda and the children in the car to lunch. We decided to eat at Huntt's but I was afraid to drive all the way down there because of the traffic congestion, so we parked on the side street. After lunch we stopped in the ten cent stores. We got a trifle lost-of course-going home, so I didn't have time to go upstairs when I got back, as I wanted to go on the trip to historic Boston.

I rushed over to the hotel-of course got there in plenty of time, as they were late in starting, as they were yesterday. John couldn't go, having a meeting, but Jean and Betsy were going. Some of the same people were on our bus who were on the bus yesterday. We went through the Sumner Tunnel which we somehow missed as we came in (just as well, I suppose, as the toll was fifty cents).

We went first to see old Ironsides (Constitution) in the Boston Navy Yard. I was very sorry for the children not to be along to see it. It is no longer seaworthy having been damaged by the hurricane two years ago. We talked to some sailors. One of them said that he lives in Lynn-goes home almost every night-is there for three years.

We then went to old North Church, in a very congested Italian neighborhood where merchants rattle off unintelligible gibberish about Paul Revere to us in the hope of receiving money. Before old North Church we also went by Paul Revere's house-quite old. The sexton at the church told us about the lantern-hanging-how Revere and his friends were about a mile and a quarter away-requested that the light hang in the belfry. Today I heard what I had heard before that not Paul Revere but Prescott, completed the famous ride.

We also saw the Bunker Hill Monument (although the battle was really fought on Breed's Hill). The bus drove through some of the downtown section, and Betsy and I saw some monuments-tombstones-in the old cemeteries that we passed-the inscriptions of which we longed to read. We also saw the glass flowers at Harvard.

When we got back to Swampscott John was already at the house He had to pay two dollars for his lunch at the hotel today.

We ate dinner at the Waldorf tonight at a place the Roberts had tried. The food was very mediocre.

28 This evening we went back to the hotel-heard a radio program-rather an A.I.E.E. program-a demonstration of frequency and modulation. Betsy said that was what Jean had wanted to come to Swampscott to hear, and he and John sat entranced while Betsy and I sat and tried to keep from giggling at the number of engineers asleep.

After the demonstration we had a group of piano numbers by a very able musician who is also an eminent engineer-D. Karepetoff of Cornell-a Russian.

Thursday, June 27, 1940

Wonder of wonders the sun was out with a hint of warmth this morning. Jean was going to Boston to attend some meetings, so John went with him to take the bus trip (commercial) that he failed to get to take yesterday afternoon. Clyda I went along to shop in the Boston stores.

Betsy came by and we took the children to the beach. They took their sand equipment-buckets and shovels, strainer, etc., with them. I had them wear their sweaters down. When we got there, there was nobody else around. As it warmed up somewhat people started coming-first only strolling, looking for shells. I finally let Jane and David take off their shoes and socks and I even took off mine so that they could wade in the surf. I made some pictures of them. They enjoyed it immensely. The sand was hot, but the water was icy cold. Betsy had been collecting shells for Martha, but had to leave us to walk to the gift shops-particularly the Little Dory. We arranged to meet her at 12:30 at Doane's for lunch.

After she left more and more people started coming down to the beach. A few children and grown-ups even began to venture down in bathing suits. Realizing that this was probably the only opportunity that they would have to go in the surf I hurried them back to the house even though it was in getting along toward 11:30, to put their and my bathing suits on. As we ran into the house we met Mrs. Watts, shelving the numerous responsibilities which she wears so lightly, starting down to the beach herself.

We also took David's boat back down with us. When we got back a number of people were going in, and the beach was rapidly taking on a bright-colored look as people came out to sun themselves.

The children liked running out into the water and then running back as the waves came in. David particularly was inclined to be too venturesome until after I started out to take a real plunge. He and Jane then became frightened and called to me to come back, so, not wanting to scare them I never did really get in much deeper than my waist, and was truly glad for an excuse not to have to take the actual breath-taking plunge.

The children complained of their feet being cold, so we didn't stay very long. We hurried back to the house, dressed got in the car and went to meet Betsy. We were late- only had time for hamburgers and some ice cream for the children.

29 We were afraid that the others wouldn't get back in time for us to get to the 1:30 buses going to Lexington and Concord (if so, I would have to take the children with me) but as we were getting in the car the others drove up. Betsy got in with Jean, John and Clyda came on in our car. It was 1:15, so John ate some doughnuts and things that were in the room. I told Clyda to take the children back to the beach after they rested, if they wanted to go. It so happened that they didn't want to go back, but she took them walking up to the Dory Shop.

As usual, the bus was late in starting. We had a very ambitious guide who fairly outdid himself in entertaining our particular bus. He was a native son, I believe, and in the course of the afternoon remarked that he didn't believe in any of this "Hands across the sea" stuff to England - a throwback, I suppose to the Minuteman forbears who stood off the British regulars. He led our group right merrily in songs, although he was anything, but a singer himself. He even attempted "The Man on the Flying Trapeze". Jean didn't get to go on this trip, but Betsy, John and I did. He took a sort of Gallup poll of our bus to see what our votes would be as regards the presidential election. (The Republican National Convention is now in progress in Philadelphia). The vote went for Wendell Wilkie, which John took as an indication of how the engineers feel.

We drove first to Lexington-stood on the Commons where the shot was fired that started the Revolution-then visited the Hancock-Clarke House and one of the old taverns frequented by the British soldiers (Buckman Tavern).

Next we drove to Concord, truly an interesting place. There we saw the home of Louisa May Alcott (at one time), Hawthorne’s Old Manse, Francis Parkman's home, Emerson's home. It seems strange that one community would have given rise to such a wealth of writers.

We got back to Swampscott, went from the hotel to the house. Jean and Betsy stopped by to see about the eating place which "Adventures in Good Eating" listed at Marblehead, but we decided instead to go down to Basil's in Lynn for a lobster dinner and drive to Marblehead afterwards.

En route to Lynn we stopped at the Roberts’ and I saw their room. We went on down to Basil's. The children were much interested in our lobster. We have found it best on this trip to order milk and dessert for the children, and dinners for ourselves, giving them some of our dinner. We couldn't do that very well tonight, as they couldn't eat lobster very well.

After dinner we dropped Clyda off at home as she wanted to pack. The children then went with us-the Roberts, too-and we all drove to Marblehead. We saw a lighthouse.

After we came back there was much packing to be done.

30 Friday, June 28, 1940

We bade goodbye to Mrs. Watts and company (112 Puritan Road) this morning. Pretty little Judy (daughter of the woman who gave up her room for Clyda) helped see us off. Shane was another of the youngsters milling around the place.

Opposite Doane's we stopped and got 3 pounds of salt water taffy-one for Clyda, and one each for us to send our families. I went across to the post office and mailed some cards. Since we knew about Huntt's, we went on there and had breakfast.

Then we drove on to Boston-going by what was a sort of northern route into the city, I think. Against John's wishes I prevailed on him to take the children to see Old Ironsides. It didn't prove to be much out of our way, and they enjoyed it. David wanted a small model ship when he saw the prize handwork of some sailor which David couldn't have had for love or money of course.

We next drove all the way around Bunker Hill Monument getting a small urchin much excited.

We retraced our same route to Hartford. Since we had seen this before I wrote notes along the way (these journal notes).

We had lunch at Dutchland Farms, Hartford. I had an ice cream on cake confection. The children had small sandwiches. The place was nice, but high. "Adventures in Good Eating" recommends these Dutchland Farms places.

We turned south to New Haven-got on the Merritt Parkway, a superhighway without grade crossings, billboards, towns, almost without filling stations. We zoomed along at a right snappy rate. Finally, when the likelihood of running out of gasoline seemed imminent, we drove right (cloverleaf) which turned us left (toward what proved to be Greenwich). We must have been vaguely searching as we drove along, for a most gracious gentleman (if typical of the landed gentry of those parts-then they are nice) asked if he could be of assistance. We told him our predicament, and he first thought that it would be best for us to go back toward a filling station-especially in preference to traveling the Boston Post Road with all its traffic, but when he found that we were going to New Rochelle he said that since it was so near, we might as well go by the Post Road. So we journeyed onto Greenwich-passed some lovely country places-and that kind man drove along behind in case we ran out of gasoline.

Greenwich was having some sort of festival and the streets were thronged with people. When we finally stopped for gasoline it was raining.

We were looking for a motel tourist home at No. 2 Boston Post Road, new Rochelle, and found it as we went into town-a lovely home with nice grounds run by Mrs. M. Choate and Mrs. E.Lane.

31 We got two rooms one with three single beds in it for Clyda and the children-one with a double bed in it for us we paid 70 cents each-$3.50 for the setup, garage included.

The ladies having recommended Elliott's Diner across the street, we walked over there although we hadn't tried a diner anywhere on the trip. It proved to be a friendly sort of place to meet with palatable although not fancy food. When we got ready to go back to the house it was raining hard and we had to wait, having walked with no umbrella. Jane and David got chewing gum out of the slot machine. They are having plenty of chewing gum on this trip.

One of the tourist home women says that she is originally from Louisville.

Saturday, June 29, 1940

We had breakfast at the diner. Mentioning that we were going to the Fair (ed.- New York World’s Fair), they gave us tickets-rather envelopes containing keys to cars being given away.

We drove some miles through Pelham Manor, into the Bronx across the Bronx Whitestone Bridge (25 cents) to the World's Fair parking lot. Even before getting to the Fair we could of course see the Trylon and Perishphere. We parked on the lot (25 cents), paid five cents each to ride buses to the entrance rather than walking.

First of all we got an official Fair guidebook. Then we took the sightseeing bus trip around the fair ($1.25 for our family).

Back at the start we went in the Chrysler Building-saw the talking Chrysler-went to the Railroad Building, saw a lot of little trains to the children's delight-made snapshot of ourselves in a mirror in front of the General Motors building. Then we went through the General Motors Futurama, Clyda not going, saying that she wouldn't stand in line for it. It wasn't so tiresome though. The line moved rather swiftly. All the guards paid attention to David and talked to him when one kept punching at him David said" I'll tell my Granny Sidebottom on you".

To recite from the book, the Futurama takes you on an exciting journey over tomorrow's highways. From slowly moving chairs (and your own private compartment with your own recorded narration you see, among other things 16,000 miniature motor cars actually speeding down superhighways, real street lights no bigger than a grain of wheat, countless villages and cities freshly plowed fields and newly planted crops. It's something like traveling hundreds of miles in a low-flying airplane. Dipping down into valleys, skirting snowcapped mountains, passing country clubs, industrial plants in operation, you see the world of 1960. The Futurama covers 35,000 (ed.-square) feet of space and occupies an entire building.

Of course the children liked it. Jane rode in the compartment with me, David with his daddy.

32

When we came out we met Clyda, had hamburgers and Coca-cola there near the Futurama.

We wanted to see Billy Rose’s Aquacade, but had an idea that the children would get tired, and also had an idea that there was a place where we could leave them to play in this sort of children's world. Before that however, we visited the Perisphere. Here we traveled up on an escalator to the children's delight. The Perishpere was impressive (it cost 65 cents) but not as worthwhile as the General Motors Futurama, I believe.

We then walked, trying to find the Children's World, but failing to do so, took the children on the Aquacade with us, and were glad that we did so. We got in for $1.30. It proved highly entertaining with the children and restful at the same time, as we were resting all the time that we were in there.

The graceful and skillful swimming and diving were lovely and the children liked it, but they were particularly excited when the clowns performed. They would go out on a high diving boards, pretending to be greatly frightened, would weave around, finally fall or get pushed off, hitting the water in fantastic fashion. The children's shrieked and clapped their hands. On their way to the Aquacade some Fair official or worker gave Jane a cane, to David's chagrin.

After we left the Aquacade the children insisted upon riding the merry-go-round- which we resented their doing more than things they couldn't do at home.

Then we went in the Swift’s Building and the children with Clyda saw a puppet show while we walked around a bit.

Then we got there, took them to Borden’s to see Aunt Elsie (ed.-the Cow).

We ate dinner at a place on the grounds. It was pretty high-not particularly interesting food-David was very cross-would eat nothing. He wanted a Coca-cola after dinner. We got it for him, then took them on a hurry up trip in the Firestone Building to see the jungle animals and some activities connected with rubber.

Then we started out, realizing that it would never do to keep the children out until 9:15 to see the lights turned on. Jane wanted a souvenir (Clyda had been collecting pennants) so she and David each got a very long pencil with a small World's Fair pennant on it. On our way out (We went out the wrong way once and had to get passes to come back in) John took them in to see the miniature railroad show. Then we drove home. I didn't feel tired, and my feet didn't hurt, but the children were tired.

Sunday, June 30, 1940

We had breakfast at the diner, then went to New York City. We drove past the zoological and botanical Gardens-down Riverside Drive. We stopped at Grant's Tomb-

33 saw the Riverside Baptist Church, but a service was going on (Dr. Fosdick's church, but he wasn't preaching), and we couldn't go in. We also went by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and even went inside, but couldn't get guide service there because it was the morning service time.

We then drove on down toward the Battery, keeping downstairs under the Henry Hudson Parkway (we asked directions of a man and in broken English he advised us to keep downstairs). It was a thrill to see the Normandy and Queen Elizabeth at dock side by side. The traffic cop wouldn’t even let us park though to take a better look at them. In these days of Fifth Column activities they can't be too careful, I suppose.

Down at the Battery we parked, walked over, looked at the Statue of Liberty, made some pictures. John said that we didn't have time to go out to the Statue. The children were interested in the Statue of Liberty boat, however, and we stayed there until that particular boat went out. It was very windy. We didn't go in the Aquarium.

By that time we decided it was time to eat. Since there seemed to be no discernible places in the vicinity of the battery, we got in the car and started north, getting on Broadway. We did drive through Wall Street.

Not a restaurant was open. We couldn't have picked a better time for doing our own driving in New York, for the streets were comparatively empty. Finally as we drove further toward Times Square we found a Child's Restaurant open - were able to park right in front of it-took the children to restrooms in the basement. David was rather obstreperous, unusually so, and we were considerably embarrassed. I had devilled crab.

After we left Child's we drove through Times Square, skirted around a bit - first on Fifth Avenue, then on Park, then back to Washington Square, then Greenwich Village and Bowery section. Then we attempted to see the East End, ghetto section, and although we drove all around it didn't seem as bad to me as it did in 1927. Whether we missed the worst spots, or whether the government housing program has better conditions I don't know. I should mention that before doing the other East End sections we drove through Chinatown, I remembering that it was in the Mott Street, Pell Street section. We got along much better driving than I had anticipated. I wanted John to take a sightseeing bus, but he thought we could manage, and we did.

Here, I’m mixed up, I believe. Before we did Chinatown and the East End we visited Rockefeller Center-thoroughly enjoyed it. It was all new to me. The children, Clyda and I stayed in the vicinity of the fountain while John took a conducted tour through the NBC studios. We made some pictures. Finally I took the children on the lower level of the radio building where there were some very attractive gift shops. I bought the children some barley sugar candy. I also bought a small Welsh pitcher (10 cents) and a little Mexican blown glass pitcher (10 cents). Clyda bought a knitting bag for her grandmother.

34 The children were thrilled to find escalators in use from the basement to the first floor. Since their ride yesterday on the escalator at the Perisphere they are fascinated by escalators. They rode twice on this one in Rockefeller Center.

After leaving the East End we drove north past rows and rows of all apartment buildings, through Harlem back again to the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (but it was closed). During this part of the driving John for the first time got on a one-way street going the wrong direction, but we rectified the error without difficulty, due perhaps to our Kentucky license.

We were all tired then - started back toward New Rochelle. By that time it was getting dark and lights were on. Some man rammed us in the back and was pretty much alarmed when our bumper broke. We could have let him think that he broke it, I suppose, but it had been broken before and mended.

The way back seemed much longer than coming in this morning. It was dark and began raining. We got back to the tourist home tired indeed - went down to a White Tower hamburger place (deciding we wanted a change from a diner) - were all pretty ravenous, even the children, eating hamburgers, frozen malteds, etc.

Monday, July 1, 1940

We ate at our diner for the last time this morning, the children wanting to rather than at the White Tower. We took more or less the same route of yesterday morning, crossing the George Washington Bridge to New Jersey. The toll on it was fifty cents.

In the car I usually ride in the front seat with John, Clyda and the children in the back, but sometimes I have one or the other up front with me, sometimes Clyda is up here and I in the back with them, sometimes either Jane or David ride in the front with John.

There was intensely heavy traffic out through Newark and Elizabeth. Trucks were supposed to keep in the right lane. At Newark we crossed the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers.

In Elizabeth there were many Esso tanks.

We had lunch in Philadelphia - as we were going in - at a White Tower. I wanted candy bars, and had to walk a block to find any.

We could have saved a lot of time today if we had skirted Philadelphia, but I wanted John to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, so we drove in. A minister who had formerly been at the Presbyterian seminary in Louisville had recognized our Louisville license as we neared Philadelphia, and had given us some pointers.

Philadelphia still wore vestiges of the Republican National Convention. We saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, then I bought cards, stamps and films across the

35 street at a stationer's while John went to get a haircut. I also made a picture of the children in the park adjoining Independence Hall.

We had dinner in Baltimore-at a place which turned out to have the worst food that we have had yet, I think. I selected the place, as John always imposes that responsibility on me, and it was no credit to my judgment tonight.

In Baltimore we got off our route marker and lost a lot of time. We had hoped to make Washington tonight, but it was after dark and John was tired, so we stopped in a town and started looking for a tourist home. We didn't even know what the town was but it turned out to be Laurel, Maryland, so we stayed at a place called Linden Lane.

Tuesday, July 2, 1940

We got up and drove to Washington. There we had the worst session of the trip, because of me. I selfishly wanted to eat at a place recommended by "Adventures in Good Eating"-one of the better-known Washington places. We couldn't find a parking place, put the car on a parking lot - and the place was closed. We started walking to the other, Clyda not going with us. It was too far away. We walked toward the White House, saw an S&W Cafeteria over beyond an intersection-stopped and had a very satisfactory breakfast there. Then we went on back to the car where Clyda was waiting. We drove back by the White House, parked right in front, and I made a picture of the children, also of Clyda right in front of the fence. We couldn't go in, as the White House was closed for the summer. The children said they thought they saw President Roosevelt looking out a window.

As we drove away one of Washington's many guides hailed us "Hello, Louisville, how about guiding you around?" I suppose he thought he would make a big hit with the Louisville gag. He was pretty good to recognize the Jefferson County as being a Louisville license. Another guide wasn't so good though. He called us "Wisconsin", Kentucky's and Wisconsin's license plates being the same color.

Driving down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol, we took the children in to see the House of Representatives’ chamber. They were getting ready to re-convene at noon (after the Republican National Convention). He also made some pictures there.

Next we drove to the depot, John thinking that the children would like it, but there was nothing to hold us there.

Our time being limited since we wanted to get to Uncle Tom's, we decided to hurry along. We did take time to stop at the Smithsonian for a very little while. David didn't do well there however. They were interested in Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis"- and in the old fashioned automobiles and bicycles. Jane and Clyda looked at some of the costumes of the First Ladies.

36 We drove over to the Monument (Washington's) and John was going to take Jane up but it was going to take 45 minutes wait in line, and John didn't feel that we could wait that long. We drove around by the Lincoln Memorial, made some pictures, started across the bridge towards Arlington-and then I prevailed on John to return to Washington-that is, near the Lincoln Memorial so that I could call Aileen Davis Dredge. We called from a little golf house in the park there. Nobody answered the phone.

Crossing the Potomac again he bore to our left and really got on our way to Uncle Tom’s. In the vicinity of the road to Mount Vernon, we stopped and ate barbecue sandwiches-ice cream for the children-and the children got a thrill when somebody dropped in nickel in the music box to make it play. The Woodpecker song is a favorite this summer.

In Fredericksburg we stopped and bought 2 quarts of milk, fearing that, we couldn't have the right milk at Uncle Tom’s.

We took a cross-country road to Mineral. In Louisa I mailed cards to Mother and Mrs. Houchens, and we bought bananas.

We had forgotten first where to turn off the Bell's Cross Roads road to get to Uncle Tom's. Finally we asked a little colored boy with a pound of lard but got no real satisfaction. He said he had heard of Mistuh Tom Houchens, but he just couldn't seem to remembah. Driving on, we finally got the necessary information from a crippled sort of man-found we had gone too far-turned back across the river, up the hill to the mail boxes, where we turned. I had truly forgotten that Uncle Tom's road was so very woods-like and narrow. When we reached their house, only Aunt Bessie was there. She said that Uncle Tom and Lorena had gone to Louisa, and I thought she said Louisville for the moment.

The children occupied themselves with Lorena's pet pigeon, and David worried the turkey gobbler some. We were glad to see them -- Lorena and Uncle Tom soon came.

Tonight Lorena sat with Jane and David until they went to sleep. We asked David what he had in his mouth and he said that he was "eating a cobweb".

I think that Clyda was worried when we came in here-because of what rain would do to these roads.

Wednesday, July 3, 1940

Well, it rained last night, some, and this morning more. We wanted to go to see Aunt Annie, so Uncle Tom, Aunt Bessie, John and the children and I started out. Clyda and Lorena stayed at home. We got along-in spite of inward trepidation on my part and the pathetic tears on Jane's, until we got on the graded road (supposedly state) leading to Aunt Annie's (and Aunt Bessie's brother’s who was critically ill). We skidded from one side to another. I felt sorry for Jane and didn't dare let my own feelings be known. We

37 took Aunt Bessie to her brother’s, then went on to Aunt Annie's. Shortly after we got there the rain poured harder than ever.

Hers was the most old-fashioned, primitive place I think I have ever visited-but spotlessly clean, even though she lives there alone. She gave the children each a stick of peppermint candy and wanted us to stay for dinner but of course we couldn't stay-or thought not. When we started back for Aunt Bessie we got stuck-didn't make a hill, tried to back to get a fresh start, went into the bank. Uncle Tom went for some relatives in that neighborhood to help. Jane's fears were not flaring up so badly once we were actually stuck and not just sliding. They expected a garage mechanic to come. When the young man did come walking down the road David said, "There’s the garage man". "No", I said, "It's just a farmer". "The farmer in the dell”, called David, and when the boy came up he called out to him, "Hi, farmer in the dell"-and called him that so constantly during the pushing operation that I was hard put to make an explanation.

To make a long story short, we finally had to be pulled out by a horse. Then we got Aunt Bessie and went home. Clyda and Lorena had gone to town in our absence. We went ahead and ate dinner (good ham, fried chicken, etc.). When they didn't come back, we were thinking they were stuck and John started out to find them, but met them just up the road. They had been to Mineral for ice.

The rain continued to pour. Aunt Bessie insisted on making ice cream. We wanted to see Uncle Lee, so we started out, Clyda and Aunt Bessie staying at home this time. He was pitiful-so pitiful that I cried, and the children were worried. He lives all alone in a little house that he built on his place. The house in which he and Aunt Sis lived burned. We even saw the colored woman who helped Aunt Sis when we were there before- ten years ago.

Back by way of the church to visit to Aunt Sis’ grave- then to Uncle Tom’s. It continued to rain so much that nobody could come.

Thursday, July 4, 1940

There was a hard rain all night. I didn't begin to hope that we could get away this morning over the roads. I didn't even dress the children with any degree of enthusiasm because there was such an exceedingly damp atmosphere all over that it didn't seem worthwhile to put on freshly laundered clothes. Uncle Tom sent us off with a homemade broom, a start of his boxwood, and other remembrances. They went with us, Lorena driving her car, as Aunt Bessie wanted to go to see her brother who is ill. We left them at the road to Louisa, they going to the right, we to the left. I think we all cried when we left. They asked us not to wait ten years come back.

We stopped in Louisa to see about the car then headed toward Charlottesville. We laughed at David who talked about our "windmill shipers" not working.

38 Before we reached Charlottesville it cleared and we arrived at 400 Ridge St, Betsy's home, in a very red-clay looking car though the sun was shining.

We met Betsy's father, mother and brother-in-law, and saw her sister Julia again. We had a pleasant hour with them, then as we started out, Jean shot off some firecrackers which he had for Martha. These proved to be the only Fourth of July celebration that Jane and David had.

When we left, Jean, Betsy, her father, Julia, her husband and Martha went in Percy’s car to drive us around the campus of the University of Virginia. We also stopped at a newsstand and bought a University of Virginia pennant for Clyda.

Just before we left the others David fell down and got a mouth full of dust, but no other injury.

We reached the mountains, stopped at a hotel above Afton for the children and I [sic] to look out. As we drove on I became peach hungry as we passed roadside markets, and finally bought a basket of peaches.

In Lexington we stopped at a hotel to wash our hands, then went to the Dutch Inn for lunch (recommended by "Adventures in Good Eating").

Afternoon driving took us through famed White Sulphur Springs.

In the West Virginia mountains David was pretty sick-he even started being sick in the Virginia mountains.

At Hawk’s Nest we stopped and walked over to the lookout over New River Gap. John and I had a little place in mind at which we had eaten 10 years ago-at an intersection of roads on a mountain near Hawks Nest. We found the place and went in. It'd lost its quaint charm-the checkered tablecloths and rustic lamps, but, because the hour was late, and since we could get pasteurized milk there, we had dinner there. David wanted to play the Nickelodeon, so John gave him a nickel and he was delighted when he was able to get the music to start.

Both children got balloons at this place.

Jane has wanted to stay in a tourist cabin ever since we left home, but we never could seem to find nice cabins when the time came for us to seek a lodging place. I asked the proprietor of the eating place about cabins, and he said that there were none between there and Gauley Bridge or in Gauley Bridge that he could recommend. He did say however that the Conley Hotel in Gauley Bridge was unusually good for a small town. It was already dark, so we drove on to the town-and stopped at the Hotel Conley to get prices. Although their rates were three dollars a room, they said that they would give us a special family rate of four dollars for two rooms with a connecting bath. The rooms

39 turned out to be excellent-as modern in appointments as the rooms in a large hotel. Jane and Clyda slept together. David with us.

Friday, July 5, 1940

I failed to mention the names of some of the cabins we saw yesterday-Mae West, Loretta Young, Richard Dix and King Edward as examples.

This morning we ate breakfast at the Gauley Grill-next door to the hotel. It was all right, but I still insist that the hotel was unusual.

Not far out of Gauley Bridge our progress was much hindered by some road construction. We saw a Kentucky-Jefferson County car. Wisconsin and North Carolina have the same color license plates as Kentucky.

In Huntington we stopped at a Texaco station (we have been faithful to Texaco on the trip) for gasoline, and David fell down while Jane and I were in the toilet. He was having one of his frequent little spells and wouldn't let Clyda hold his hand.

In Ashland David made a discerning statement-evidently a holdover from what I have told him. He said "Watermelons and cantaloupes aren't cheaper until watermelons grow."

At lunch time we were in Grayson-stopped at the only possible-looking place and I went in-but after one look around came out. We drove on to Olive Hill. There we stopped at one hotel, but it didn't look good, and we went back to the other. They didn't have a dining room. We patronized the restroom and as we came down stairs I asked the boy at the desk to recommend a place to eat. He mentioned Mrs. Tabor's Home Cooking with the necessary praise, and we went there-had a very good dinner-sirloin steak, and things the children could eat. Rather nice-looking businessmen were eating in there. The place wasn't much on looks, but was clean. There was pasteurized milk for the children.

After lunch we fairly sailed along toward Louisville-were home by 5:30. We cleared out our poor laden-down car, and John took Clyda home. The children were glad to see Jimmie. Carl and Suzanne aren't at home - visiting in Jasper Indiana.

Since there was no food in the house we went down to Walgreens to eat and get groceries at the supermarket. We had about as good a dinner at Walgreens as we have had since we left home.

It was good to get home, no matter how good our trip has been.

Saturday, July 6, 1940

Clyda was back on the job today. I washed some things which we need before Monday. Mrs. Lovell had her nursery school group over at Mrs. Hart's this morning, so I

40 let Jane and David go over. I talked to Mrs. Lovell and she said that both our bunnies were all right until the day my card arrived from Philadelphia (on which I had mentioned the bunnies). On that day they found Algernon stretched out. Poor Algernon! I had expected it for some time.

This afternoon neither child slept. They finally went with us to take Clyda home- and then by Bickel's. David insisted on getting out against our wishes. As we started through the screen door I saw a boy who evidently had impetigo. The places looked like it, and he had gentian violet on them. I hustled the children home and we washed them and alcohol-ed them. .

Then we went to the A&P, then to Lovell's for Peter.(ed. rabbit) They gave us some squash and cucumbers.

Sunday, July 7, 1940

Clyda had today with her family.

We went to S.S. and Jane wore her white pinafore over her red dotted Swiss. She looked pretty and got many compliments. When we got home I had to cook dinner.

This afternoon we drove out to see the Hardings and their new baby, stopped to see a model home there near them-and of course came back by Bowman Field-a highlight for David at any time-and Jane likes it too.

Monday, July 8, 1940

We washed the clothes today that had to be done in the washer-including John's shirts of course.

Then I made a rather hurried trip to town to get a pinafore for Martha Roberts’ birthday Wednesday. I had a book for her-of animals-but wanted a pinafore for Jane to give her. I mailed them from town.

Mrs. Wilkinson had asked me last night to act as chairman of the Speed School picnic Saturday night, so I came on home as soon as possible since I had asked her and Mrs. McIntosh to meet here with me.

I had told Jane that she might wear the same pinafore outfit that she wore yesterday, so she had it on tonight. We had finished dinner and the children had gone on out front, Ann Tritt having been present during our meal. John and I were still at the table talking when we heard cries that presaged real injury. We flew to the front of the house. Jane was the one hurt-at first I didn't see where-then I saw blood fairly streaming down her back. "Where's all the blood coming from?" I questioned and then discovered that it was from the back of her head. Jimmie Hart was present and from Jane's incoherent cries I thought at first that he was involved, but soon discovered that Ann had

41 been innocently responsible. We didn't get the whole picture until later. We got Jane in the house-got her dress and pinafore off-couldn't seem to stop the bleeding. I tried to call Dr. Kerr - then suggested that we take her and go right on to him, so we started to the car with her in her underwear. All the neighbors had gathered around. Mrs. Tritt asked to let her see her since she was a nurse, so we went back in, she bathed the wound and we began to see that it was clotting. Mrs. Tritt cleaned it as well as she could, but we took her on to Dr. Kerr's offices, taking David too. The wait was long, but after examining her Dr. Kerr said that it was only a scalp wound, that there was no likelihood of fracture. He examined her pretty well.

Jane says that Ann pushed her back on her tricycle, the bike bounced against the step, fell over backwards and she fell back, her head hitting the step. We are thankful that it was no worse.

After we came back from the doctor's, the Tritts came over to see about her. They are very sorry-feel that Ann was to blame, but I don't feel that she was purposely so.

Tuesday, July 9, 1940

Jane's head seems to be feeling pretty good. I washed the children's clothes today while Clyda ironed on what was washed yesterday. I made some calls about the Speed School picnic. Later the children and I walked over to check on the Roberts’ place. I cut some of her flowers-and with the help of Mrs. Koestner unlocked the front door, went in, and got a loaf of bread which was molded (she had told me about this in Swampscott or Charlottesville and had given me the key. As we returned we talked to Mrs. Vonderhaar a moment.

Wednesday, July 10, 1940

Clyda was off one half day. I called Caroline Redding and invited her and George for dinner tomorrow night.

The children went to a puppet show at the library with Mrs. Lovell and the other nursery school children this morning. After they came back she took them all to her house for a tea party. When she brought them home I asked Jane what they had and she said grape juice and raisin bread. I asked her if she partook and she said yes-yet she won't have either of those at home.

We went by the Fife’s after dinner to return their thermos bottle, towel and robe. Claudine’s sister and her family were there. We didn't stay, but went on to the grocery store.

John went over to the Lovell’s tonight to pitch horseshoes.

Thursday, July 11, 1940

42 Jimmie and David played in the basement while I ironed. Jane spent the day at Sally Ann's. I was amused at J's and D's conversation. Jimmie wanted to play with Jane's little stove-said "let's cook supper". David, said, "Daddies don’t cook supper- Mothers cook supper". Jimmie talks like a Southerner. He says "mothah"- "suppah", etc.

I was just thinking today that Jimmie has improved a lot-but he threw David’s whistle away-back in the lot. It was a little toy horn or trumpet that Mother had given him. I looked for it but couldn't find it-could get no cooperation from Jimmie in looking for it. He seems to like to do things like that just to tease. Not so long ago he threw two of David's pennies away.

At long last-after four days-we got all our clothes washed from our trip.

George and Caroline were here for dinner. Afterwards Caroline told them a story about blowing out a candle and they liked it.

We had tickets for the operetta "Maytime", but it rained. The four of us drove out to the amphitheater and stayed until nine, but to no avail. We had to go home, since the production couldn’t be given.

Friday, July 12, 1940

Today has been distinguished mostly by numerous calls about the picnic. Few people are going.

We have had much rain today.

Saturday, July 13, 1940

Papa and Mother surprised us by coming this morning. I had written Mother about Jane's head, and she couldn't wait to see about her. The children were thrilled to see them.

After lunch Mother went in town with John to get herself a pair of shoes. They were back by three-we did some rushing around and got away to the picnic at Sleepy Hollow. It is unusually cool out there in the evening, and today being particularly so, the children didn't wear sunsuits. Jane wore her pink pinafore, David his blue knitted jersey.

I am always a bit uneasy out there-on account of the water for the children, I mean. Papa and Mother enjoyed it. We had a ham, vegetable salad, applesauce, tomatoes, buns, coffee, iced tea, Choco pop, brownies and cake with caramel icing. The children all had two Choco pops each. Margaret Fife and her cousin were there. Dean Wilkinson's two nieces, Martha McIntosh, and the Ernst boys and their friend.

After supper we went back up to the clubhouse for a few minutes-watched the dancing.

43

Sunday, July 14, 1940

John and the children and I went to Sunday School. Clyda was here to prepare dinner. After dinner Cousin Ray, Barbara, Emma Alice and her baby came to see Papa and Mother. The baby is cute - looks like Billy. We got out of lot of toys for him but being only ten months old he wanted to put them all in his mouth.

After they left, Papa and Mother thought they must go so we drove with them and out as far as U.S. 60 on the other side of Bardstown Road. We came back by the Roberts’ and went in to examine the rug for moths. Back home we worked some on the spirea next to the driveway.

Monday, July 15, 1940

It has been hot today. I have worked almost all day pulling weeds which grew while we were away and even before. David took a very long nap.

Since Clyda was entertaining her S.S. class tonight we got Emily Koestner to stay here while we went to Mary Sublett's for the evening.

Tuesday, July 16, 1940

There has been rain, lots of it, and it is consequently cooler. It finally cleared this afternoon and I went to town to buy some things which Mother wanted, some stationery and a card for Erwina's birthday Thursday.

Jane was crying about her barrettes (she couldn't find them) and cried tonight in the front yard when Ronnie pushed her over. That embarrassed us that she cried, for the Tritts were already feeling bad about Ann’s connection with Jane's head injury.

Jane and David walked down with the Vonderhaars to meet their daddy and drove back up with them.

Clyda stayed tonight while John and I went to see "The Merry Widow" at the Amphitheater.

Wednesday, July 17, 1940

This morning I went with Mrs. Lovell to help her in taking the children to the puppet show at the Library. David thinks that a seersucker suit which I bought for him with a zipper on his pocket is very fine. When we went into the puppet show our group of small children went up to the very front rows. The show hadn't started. I was sitting at the side and David called across to me in a stage whisper "Oh, Mother, there's another

44 little boy with a zipper on his pocket"-and sure enough there was behind him. Of course the adults in hearing distance smiled.

There were two puppet shows: "Peter Rabbit" and "The Squire’s Bride". Of course the children were all much pleased. The puppets were hand operated, rather than string-the first that I have ever seen like that.

Clyda was leaving at 11:15 to go to the hospital because her boyfriend was there. We got home before that though. Mrs. Lovell couldn't have her tea party for the children, as she was having guests for dinner tonight. The children and I got out at home, walking on down with Alice Birtles. They wanted to stay to play in her play house and see her kittens, so I left them for about a half hour.

They took no naps. Gladys Corley wanted some of the folks who were there for the Fourth of July to come over to eat watermelon and have pictures made by Dr. Loring, so the children and I walked on over. John came from school as soon as he could. Caroline is in South Carolina with her grandparents.

Mr. Taylor of the Law School was there, talking of his coming trip East, and conferring with us on routes and tourist homes. He mentioned New Haven and she told him that she had been to New Haven. Also today she (ed.-Jane) recognized a picture of the Bear Mountain Bridge in Life Magazine.

Tonight John trimmed on the hedge and the children were over at Hart’s.

Thursday, July 18, 1940

The children played over in the Hart’s sandbox this morning. I ironed. Patty Hart went to West Virginia for a visit today. This afternoon I went to town, met John, and we went to the Mary Anderson to see "All This and Heaven Too"-Bette Davis and Charles Boyer.

We went home for dinner, as Clyda had it ready. John and the children took her home. When they came back John and I started eating and they wanted to eat again, even though they had supposedly had their dinner before we got home.

Jane excitedly told us about the Hart’s new car. She said that even though we didn't have a new one the Harts had one-as though their car made up for our lack of a new one. Friday, July 19, 1940

Jane told us this morning that she wanted to be a S.S. teacher and a dancer when she grows up.

An all Walt Disney feature is in town. David says that he wants to see the puppet show of "Seven Warfs".

45

The weather is hot. The children and I took a walk this afternoon first going over to see Stella, who wanted Betsy's address-then home from there-then for our walk. Up Audubon Parkway to Oriole to Dove, back toward the Parkway and home. The children enjoyed it. I should do that sort of thing with them oftener.

Tonight we went to the supermarket, stopping to see Mr. Curry and get a sunsuit of Jimmy's which I wanted to use in connection with the pattern Mrs. Curry gave me. Jimmie and his mother are in Indianapolis. We also talked to Ann and her mother and daddy and the children played for a little together. Hess Lane makes me nervous though. Traffic on it is so fast.

We had told the children that they might have Good Cheers (ice cream) tonight but when we got to the grocery store we saw the little ponies across the way and the children wanted to ride them. John told them that if they rode the ponies they couldn't have their Good Cheers, but they took the pony rides regardless. It was two times around for five cents, and one or two of the ponies were pitifully thin and scrawny-looking. We thought of reporting them to the Humane Society.

Saturday, July 20, 1940

Hot today. Clyda made Toll House cookies this morning. Mrs. Tritt brought over some pretty flowers.

Jane didn't go to sleep. Since they didn't get their ice cream last night I gave them each a nickel to get Good Cheers. Ann Tritt came over and Jane wanted her to have a nickel to, so we gave her one. Then the three of them waited out front for an hour or more for the Good Cheer man. Neither of them lost his nickel. When he finally came they each bought orange popsicles.

Tonight the children played over at Ann’s. David crossed the street back home alone though and his daddy made him stay on this side. We were all on Mrs. Jackson's porch.

Sunday, July 21, 1940

We went to S.S., Clyda not being here today. Afterwards we drove to the municipal boat docks and the roundhouse. Then we went to French Village for dinner. The children did pretty well. We gave them dinner off of our plate and bought ice cream for their desert. I took their milk in our pint thermos bottle.

A man and wife were sitting next to the door as we came out and the man seemed much taken by David-said that he would give a lot for it. David wore his little sun suit with the sails on it. Jane wore her pinafore.

46 At home we had naps, then drove down to the True’s and back by Heitzman's doughnuts and bread, coming home through Germantown.

After some sandwiches here at home we sat on the front porch.

Monday, July 22, 1940

I took the children to town today to see the Walt Disney show at the Strand. We were going on the bus, but as we walked over to the corner Mrs. Lovell picked us up and drove us over to the Fourth Street car line. When we got on the car David announced to the motor man that he had a pretty suit on making everybody laugh. Howard Hardaway was on the car and I talked to him going in.

The pictures were "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Donald Duck", "Ferdinand the Bull", "The Practical Pig” today" and one other that I've forgotten.

We saw "Snow White" first. Jane was a bit frightened at it, (she of course saw it several years ago), and David kept asking when Donald Duck was coming.

John picked us up in front of the Strand at one o'clock and brought us home.

They both napped this afternoon. I invited some children for lunch tomorrow.

After supper we went to Breitensteins's and Huber’s. The former had a kitten the children liked.

Mrs. Wilkinson called and invited us for dinner Wednesday evening. Clyda will be off, but Emily can stay.

Tuesday, July 23, 1940

Today I had a sort of delayed birthday lunch for Jane-the only birthday aspect being cupcakes with lighted candles. The children who came were Ann Summerford, Jimmie Curry, John Lovell, Margaret Fife and her three cousins from Cincinnati-Mary Ann, Bobbie Ann Paxton and Jane Paxton. John stopped off on his way from nursery school at Mildred Cole’s. Ann had to come late as she went to the dentist at 11:30. It was, so hot that I didn't let the children go outside to play until after 3:30. While lunch was being prepared by Clyda I kept them on the porch. After lunch I read them about the "Little Engine that Could" and some of the Just Puggy stories. Then they listened to the children's records and played some (in the house). When we went outside I made some pictures, particularly of Ann, Jimmie, Jane and Margaret who I have made for five years now. David was a little obstreperous because he didn't want anybody else to ride his tricycle. I got Jimmy Hart's for Jimmie Curry to ride, and tore my stocking in doing it. Little Jane Paxton started crying for no apparent reason at the lunch table, but was soon alright. The children enjoyed using brightly colored straws for their milk and fruit juice.

47 Sam came after his group after five. John and the children took the others home.

Wednesday, July 24, 1940

It was very hot. Mrs. Hart rigged up her hose back of the garage and Carl, Suzanne, Jimmie, Jane and David played back there, with a tub for each child. Mrs. Hart made some pictures and I made one, having only one film left after Clyda a made a picture of the four of us this morning.

Clyda was off this afternoon. Jane didn't sleep. The children played over at Ronnie's. I had given them nickels to get popsicles, and discovered that Gerry and Ronnie had eaten some of Jane's – an unhygienic practice for all concerned. It only makes the other children's mouths water for them to have ice cream from the Good Cheer man if they haven't, so henceforth they don't have any except when at home. Very often Jimmie, Carl and Suzy have ice cream while J. or D. do not, and I know how their tongues hang out.

Thursday, July 25, 1940

Elizabeth Barry Dillon of Lafayette, Indiana called this morning.

Mrs. Hart and I took the children to the Crescent Hill wading pool this morning. We went in Mrs. Hart's new Pontiac. The children were thrilled. Jimmy pushed David into the water and held his head under a time or so - the only drawback, but David didn't become frightened as I feared that he might. Mr. Vollmer was there with his little boy, somewhat older than David.

This afternoon both children slept.

Tonight we went to Iroquois Park to my S.S. picnic supper. Mrs. Jackson went with us. Jane and David liked the Creamsicles that they had. We walked over to the Amphitheater for the children to glimpse and hear a bit of the "Countess Maritza."

I was interested in hearing Isabel more, recently back from Africa, tell about finding their native boy straining the orange juice through the flyswatter and mashing the potatoes in the pan they had just washed the boy's feet in,

Friday, July 26, 1940

Last night was our hottest night, so far-not a breath of air.

Jane went to Owenton today. We got up and left before Clyda came. I packed Jane's bag last night. I left a note for Clyda to prepare John's lunch while we were gone,

48 as he had to bring David and me back home. We took Jane to the Baptist hospital where mother awaited her, having come with Mr. and Mrs. Link.

Miss Collier, the supervisor on the floor were David was last summer, came down while we were there, recognized David and talked to him.

Jane tried manfully not to cry when we left, but tears came to her eyes, and to mine also. Mother is going to finish her pinafore trimmed in yellow.

David played complacently by himself when we got home. He took a nap. I had a headache.

Since supper we have been to Walgreens to get the snapshots made the other day. Since we've been home we had Coca-Cola which David likes too well.

Saturday, July 27, 1940

David and Jimmy played on the front porch together this morning I went to town, John meeting me at 12:30.

Mr. Jackson got some progynon for John to give me. It cost only $3.50, as compared with five dollars, non-wholesale

A man started cutting down our hedge for us today.

David and I took Clyde a home - stopping en route to buy tomatoes at Poplar Level Road, then back by Mrs. Hottle’s to see her and Marilyn. Then we stopped at the Bickel’s, and came on back by Widgeon to see about the Roberts and discovered that they were home, Lewis Jr. their nephew, having returned with them. Tonight we went to the A&P.

Sunday, July 28, 1940

Clyda was here today. It was very hot. We went to S.S., David wearing the little white piqué and dotted Swiss suit that Jimmie Hart gave him last year. When I went for him after S.S. he told me that he didn't give Mrs. Crawley his S.S. money - that he saved it to buy a balloon.

After dinner I had a shot.

We were home all afternoon. Tonight we walked over to the Roberts’! Jean and Lewis Jr. were going to the operetta, but we sat in the yard with Betsy and Martha anointing ourselves with citronella. David has been begging to play with Martha's little stove the times that we were over there, so Betsy in compliance with his wishes brought the stove in the backyard tonight and they played with it together.

49 Monday, July 29, 1940

I put David in the tub last night before I put him to bed, and as it was so hot, let him play there a little while. When I went for him, he told me that he had washed his hair. Thinking nothing of the matter, I dried his head with a towel, and put him in bed with the fan on him as I have been doing during all this hot weather. During the night he coughed a few times and today has told me that his throat hurts. So, I feel that the fan on his wet head did it.

I have had a nauseating headache all day-have stayed in bed most of the day. It was 100 in the shade this afternoon.

In Mother's letter this afternoon was a letter from Jane, all sealed, with a one cent stamp on it. The letter said "I Love You Mother” – “Jane". On the outside it said, "From Jane".

Tuesday, July 30, 1940

Again today it was 100 in the shade. I felt better this morning. I took David to Dr. Walker to have his teeth cleaned. He was very good-didn't seem to mind at all. Dr. Walker gave him a small tube of sample toothpaste which he prizes highly.

Back at home I worked on Bobby Traylor’s sunsuit, as tomorrow is his birthday and I must get it in the mail today. I went to Mrs.Wendt's for lunch - and such a lovely one - worked buttonholes in the sunsuit in the afternoon. Back at home I worked on it still more in the front yard. In some places there were showers today, breaking the intense heat wave somewhat. It didn't rain here.

John and David took Clyda home.

After dinner we drove out to Coke's Station to get our driver’s license, but there were too many in line. After we returned home I called Dr. Andrews and he said for me to get Sucrets-throat lozenges-for David’s cold. He says that, summer colds don't usually amount to much.

Mother wrote that Jane was at her Granny Houchens’ from Sunday afternoon until this morning.

Wednesday, July 31, 1940

David continues to cough.

50 We finally got our drivers’ licenses at Coke Station this morning - saw and talked to Smith Keightley. I went on to town, was home at noon as Clyda was off this afternoon.

After David was asleep I walked over to Betsy’s to take her some Toll House cookies, since this is her birthday. Later, I walked over to Mrs. Vonderhaar's to take Maria a plate of cookies, since this is also her birthday.

I drove to the A&P about five, David staying here with his daddy. Then he and his daddy drove out to Breitenstein's for tomatoes.

Thursday, August 1, 1940

I kept David in bed all day-until since supper at least - giving him from 6 a.m. on all day three aspirin tablets-3/4 tablet at a time every three hours. I did all this not because he has a temperature, but because his cough still persists occasionally, and I want to break his cold up. Tonight his throat looks alright, and although he has coughed a few times it is a loose cough.

Fertilizer for the hedge was delivered this afternoon.

Friday, August 2, 1940

David coughed some last night, but his cough is very loose. Today he played outside. Maria Vonderhaar came over and played with him an hour outside this morning. Then Jimmy Hart came to play with him - stayed for lunch. They had Kool-Aid and cookies for dessert, Mrs. Hart furnishing those.

Mother wrote yesterday that she had a tea party for Jane Wednesday. Yesterday they were going to Brother's.

Saturday, August 3, 1940

I had to go to town this morning. John decided that he might as well drive us to Owenton as have us go on the bus.

David took a nap. We didn't get away until after four, and took Clyda, who is starting her vacation, home.

In Pleasureville we stopped for Coca-Cola's. David was so long drinking his that we paid for the bottle to and took it on with us. From Gratz on, possibly because of the curves, he was ill.

Owenton was thronged with a Saturday crowd. As we started to cross the Doghill intersection I spied Mother and Jane walking toward town. Jane had on her new pinafore trimmed in yellow. Her hair was tied back in one curl and her face looked fuller and

51 fatter. When she saw us she squealed with delight, and David started squealing in the car. We drove on home, they walked back. They had already had supper, and we were starting to walk down to Aunt Sue's. Mother made some sandwiches for us. John went to his mother's for a while.

Sunday, August 4, 1940

We got up late, consequently had to rush particularly as John had to give me a shot. The children and I went to Sunday School, Tommie Ford taking them on, since I was late. John went down to see his Aunt Sue.

The Owenton church has made some changes in the S.S. rooms. David didn't want to give his money to Mrs. McBee but I finally straightened the matter out.

After S.S. we went down to Mrs. Houchens’. In the afternoon Estell, Martha and Bobbie came. The children didn't get along at all well. For some reason they were all very fussy. Once Jane, accidentally, almost stuck a stick in Bobbie's eye.

We took Mary Lou a little rubber kitty-so soft.

Back up at Mother’s Jane cried because her daddy was leaving. However, we distracted her somewhat by taking her and David over to ride Bobby Nixon's new pony. I had considerable difficulty getting them to come home.

Since supper we went out to the farm. There are three sons there, and a little girl- the latter not there today (having gone to Louisville for a few days). The youngest is Junior, a cute freckle-faced boy of nine. The children had a big time, especially since there are kittens and dogs there-and Junior had cars to interest David.

Monday, August 5, 19 40

This morning Margaret Jack and Alice came down, but as with Bobbie yesterday afternoon the children didn't get along at all well with Alice - or each other for that matter.

This afternoon David slept but Jane didn't - nor did I - although we all rested. Jane and I went up to the post office before David awakened to mail a letter - rather a card - to John. Jane wrote on it, "I love you, Daddy". Coming home we bought Jane a popsicle, and brought David one.

Tonight I went with Adeline to see "My Favorite Wife" (Irene Dunne)-very entertaining and amusing. Ruth Bryan went with us to White House afterwards. Tuesday, August 6, 1940

Mother lay on the bed with Jane while I went to the show last night. Jane soon went to sleep not having had a nap, but David couldn't go to sleep, Mother said. Finally

52 he asked her, "Granny, did I ever tell you about the time I had the frozen on me?" She said no and he said, "I went over to Mrs. Jackson's and went in at the back door - went and sat on the davenport - and I had frozen all over me - but God took the frozen all off of me". Mother didn't know what he meant, and I haven't figured out either.

This morning I washed and my brown dress ran.

We had a letter from John. He has taken the paper partly off the kitchen.

There has been rain today, fortunately as the drouth (sic) was getting bad.

Jane and I went to town after naps to mail a letter to John. We bought a spool of brown thread, came on down the street past the dress shop - saw Mrs. Ingram and talked to her.

Tonight after supper we drove down to Mrs. Houchens' for cream and milk. When we got in the car to go Mother remembered that she had invited Paul and Ermine for supper. However, we were home and I was putting the children to bed before they came (Mother hadn't known whether to expect them or not).

Worse the children didn't go to bed then for a long while. Just before they arrived I had become alarmed about David's navel. He said that it hurts, and on inspection there seemed to be a little worm-like piece of flesh there, and I and even Mother-thought of hernia. I was trying to tape it when they (Paul and Ermine) came. The children certainly did cavort and have a good time. They were already in their pajamas.

Wednesday, August 7, 1940

I ironed this morning. The children were over at McPherron's part of the time.

John and I had a letter telling of Mrs.Purdy's death - although that the Louisville Title Company has offered to buy my stock certificates. All of the kitchen paper is off except behind the refrigerator.

All of us took naps this afternoon. I mailed a letter to John, came back and took the children up town. David had a little spell in the White House about his popsicle. Jack came along and took us down there. The children had their popsicles and we had Coca-colas. The youngsters got along better than Monday, although Jane and David were inclined to want to stay in Alice's room to see her toys rather than to go out to her swing and sandbox. David liked her little pump. Jane used to have one of those, but it is long since broken.

Jack brought us home. The children then played with Betty Jo Bond. Tonight we went to see Mrs. Souders, and then down to see Aunt Sue. We didn't stay long at the latter place though, as I was afraid the childrens' talk might bother Mr. Doty, sick upstairs.

53

Thursday, August 8, 1940

The children played with Betty Jo Bond this morning. She stayed here while her mother went to Mr. Sib Ransdell's funeral - then they went up there for a while. I believe I failed to mention that during the week that Jane was here without us - Mother took her out to Mr. Ransdell's where Mrs. Lyons was a corpse. Jane told me that she saw "a dead lady" the first one, of course. This had to come eventually but I had dreaded it for her. However, she didn't seem to have it weigh on her.

This afternoon we went to the farm where we picked up Junior, then drove on over to Blanche's. It was the first time I think that I have crossed Elk (ed.- Elk Creek) since a raised bridge is over it. Blanche returned just yesterday from Cincinnati where she took x-ray treatments. Betty Lou and her Great Dane who were there when we arrived. David throttled Junior and sat on him most of the time that we were there.

We came back by the Hale's (Jean has had a tonsil operation) and on to the farm where we left Junior and picked up Papa and the corn he had gotten - then on to Jim Bill Kingman's, who gave us lovely tomatoes and more corn. He - Mr. Kingman - said that he believed Jane was the outstanding one of the two - and Papa said yes - that he had always thought so. He has always admitted that Jane is his favorite.

When we got back the children played with Nancy Jane Gaines in her yard a little while.

Tonight Gertrude Vallandingham, her sister Myra and the latter's daughter Nancy Jane called. Nancy Jane thought Jane beautiful and David fine - pleasing to my ears of course.

Friday, August 9, 1940

Jane had a letter from her daddy this morning. Betty Jo Bond played here.

I tried hard to get them both to go to sleep this afternoon, since we were going to Williamstown tonight. David did sleep, but Jane never did. She is getting so she doesn't sleep even so much as a third of the afternoons. She played with Nancy Jane a while.

Between 4:30 and five we went to Williamstown - stopped at the house, and then went on to the "Lake" for a picnic supper. David drove down with Ermine. Mother, David and I went in one car, Brother in still another, and Mrs. Harrell and Edythe in theirs, so we were quite a parade for such a small number. Papa didn't feel like going.

Edythe took along a little girl several months older than Jane - Caroline somebody whose father works for Brother.

54 It was a nice place for a picnic, but the road down the hill was so steep and narrow as to be positively dangerous. Jane, as is her custom on bad roads was frightened.

We had a delicious supper - fried chicken, and piggies as the meat. David spurned the chicken entirely-all else too, I believe and made his supper on seven piggies, I believe that Brother said he counted. Piggies are one of David's long suits. Neither he nor Jane goes in very keenly for chicken, to Mother's surprise (considering that they don't have it often).

After we had eaten, Brother walked way around the lake with the children. When they came back they had cat tails, and David said they had been to the forest. We went over to another part, then up the hill to see some logan berries. Edythe was amused at David's saying that he never heard of "logan bears"-that he didn't see any in the zoo. He heard her say loganberry with her southern accent and it did sound like "bear".

Coming back up the hill, I had Jane ride with Brother, as I knew that she would be afraid.

We stopped at the house only a few minutes. The children played the piano and turned somersaults, Caroline still being there.

We arrived home without mishap, to find that Papa hadn't yet returned from a tobacco meeting uptown.

Saturday, August 10, 1940

We have decided mutually for the children and I to stay another week.

The children started playing with Betty Jo Bond. Jackie Connolly came along on her bike though, and being a friend of Betty Jo, got on the former’s bike and started off with her. It angered Jane that Betty Jo went with the older child, and she threw a rock at Betty Jo. It was only a small pebble, but it hit Betty Jo and hurt her, and I was greatly perturbed. I made Jane come in and sit on a chair, and tried to get her to agree to apologize to Betty Jo, but she wouldn't do it for a while - sulking of course. In the meantime Betty Jo went home, but came back, evidently sent by her mother. I got Jane to tell her that she was sorry, gave Betty Jo a sandwich (I was making some for the other children) and she went home.

Nancy Jane then wanted the children to play at her Granny's, so I let them go down there. I was sewing on my brown dress and almost before they had time to go down there, it seemed, they were back across the street, saying that they were going to Bobbie's to play. I figured that something went wrong, but didn't get the full story until this afternoon, when I learned that there was some difficulty over a steamer chair. At Bobbie's I let them stay until 12. I went for them and got them to come home better than usual by telling them that lunch was ready. Evelyn said that they got along all right, but Jane told me after they came home that David broke a small horse of Bobbie's.

55 Evelyn insisted today that it was only a nickel horse. I took Bobbie a plate of oatmeal cookies tonight as a sort of peace offering.

I rolled up Jane's hair and mine.

This afternoon Mrs. Houchens, Ruth, Mary Lou and Mary Elizabeth Baldwin came. After they left the children and I went uptown and saw Gypsy Green, Frances Orr, and others.

After supper Mr. Nixon and Bobbie were out front. Then the children and I met Jack and Alice - went up to the White House. Lilly was there too, then Adeline and Ruth Bryan. I had a Fudgsicle, the children had Creamsicles. We saw Nell, Kay and Gypsy also F.R. Satterwhite. David and Alice particularly seemed filled with high spirits and had to be controlled a bit. Jane seemed more ladylike, possibly considering their doings childish.

When we came out, somebody spoke to me. At first I didn't recognize her - then I did. It was Mayme Carver, one of my Glencoe seniors of fifteen years ago. With her was Katherine Wilson, also of Glencoe. I am still amazed that Mayme recognized me. She is married now-lives in Covington-as does Katherine. They had been to the Smoky Mountains on vacation - were on their way back to Glencoe - stopped in Owenton to get some peaches - when they spied me. The children were with me of course. Neither of them has children.

Sunday, August 11, 1940

Mother, the children and I went to S.S. David told Gertrude Vallandingham about our picnic of Friday night. He asked her, "Do you know Uncle Paul?". Then-"Do you know Ermine?" He told her then about going to their picnic.

After dinner Papa and Mother drove to Monterey. The children and I rested. When they came back Mother, the children and I drove out to Cousin Lye's. Pluma was at home. We had a great deal of entertainment just after her arrival, to the children’s delight. The dog set up quite an uproar. Pluma went to see at what he was barking and discovered that he had a snake in the yard. We went to the porch, and the dog, pleased with his audience, killed the snake. The children had Cousin Lye make three or four trips out to the yard, taking them out to see the snake. They also had him draw water three times out of the well. I shuddered to see them drink out of the glass which was sitting near the well and in which Cousin Lye proffered them a drink-but I couldn't hurt his feelings by refusing it for them. At Blanche's the other day they drank well water then this today. We still cook their milk at Mother’s rather than to give them unpasteurized milk - and when they go to their Granny Houchens’ we take the water from Mother's because the Owenton water is now tested and purified. However, they are getting old enough now that I suppose I shouldn't be so particular.

56 Pluma thought Jane a beautiful child. If only I can help her to be beautiful, from the inside out!

Mother was talking about the switch we have on top or china cupboard. She asked him (ed. David) who it was for her and he said, "for God". (He often answers questions in some such fashion.) Jane said -"The idea - as if God needs a switch".

Tonight we drove down to Mrs. Houchens’ to get some milk.

Mother got out the bow and arrow today which Paul and Ermine brought from New Mexico to David. It has been a cause of much consternation between the two. Jane can shoot it pretty well.

Monday, August 12, 1940

Jane has to have cantaloupe along with her milk here are at Mother’s - to be able to drink the boiled milk.

This morning I washed. While I was thus engaged Mrs. Houchens called and talked to Mother, telling her that while taking a horse through the little gate by the smokehouse the horse pulled her down and injured her right arm. She was going to the doctor. At 1:30 I called Ruth. The doctor found that Mrs. Houchens arm was broken. The small bone at the wrist was broken through - the large bone cracked. It was in good line he found - however he put it in a splint after making x-rays.

The children and I rested. I read "How Green Was My Valley." David finally went to sleep in the bedroom, but Jane never did manage to go to sleep. She and I went uptown to mail a letter to her daddy telling him about his mother's arm.

After supper we went to see Mrs. Houchens, taking Choco pops, cinnamon rolls and cookies

Tuesday, August 13, 1940

This morning I ironed.

This afternoon Cousin Ola came. I had promised the children a tea party (they have been playing with the card table out front), so we had it while Cousin Ola was here.

Afterwards we went out to the farm. Mother and Mrs. Lucas had to milk as Mr. Lucas and the boys were away. The O'banions came while we were there.

Tonight Tommie Ford has been here a while.

David told me today that it was "not necessary" to wear his shoes.

57 Wednesday, August 14, 1940

I called John last night, as there were several matters to be cleared up.

This morning the children and I went to the bank to have a signature witnessed, then to the P.O., then down to Jack's for a minute.

A.J. and Ruth brought some soap by to me, and I sent Mrs. Houchens some pears.

Later the children and I went down to call on Mrs. Keightley. Clarice and her baby Suzanne were there, and Jack and Alice came over.

After supper the children to their intense delight went with the Nixons after the pony.

This evening the children and I were over at Aunt Dink's, and since we returned have been looking at Papa's and Mother's golden wedding anniversary cards and telegrams.

58 Book # 18- August 15, 1940-November 14, 1940

59 Thursday, August 15, 1940

We slept pretty late this morning. Having no laundry to do, I cleaned Mother's back porch for her. The children occupied themselves during most of the morning with washing the side porch.

The Nazi air raids are on in full force over England.

Jane didn't take a nap-David slept only until three. We went to the P.O. by the White House where they have Creamsicles. As we came home Betty Jo wanted them to play with her. I suggested that they go on down home in the yard while I stopped to see Miss Martha. When I went home not long afterwards I found that Jane had repeated her act of last Saturday-had thrown a rock at Betty Jo when the latter got on Tommie's bike. Papa saw the affair and spanked Jane. I am truly embarrassed, and worst of all, Jane doesn't seem sorry. Last Saturday afternoon after Saturday A.M.'s events, when we saw Betty Jo and Jackie uptown they spoke to Jane several times and she never would speak to them (even after having apologized to Betty Jo at my behest).

After early supper we went to Mrs. Houchens’ for milk. After we came home Gypsy Roland, Carl Foster and Aunt Dink were here. David absolutely wore Carl Foster out -- sat on him, pounded him dreadfully. I had told David that a big boy was coming (Carl Foster is 16) and he was expecting somebody to play with him and made the most of it.

Gypsy thought Jane one of the prettiest little girls she has ever seen. But the old adage holds-"Pretty is as pretty does".

Friday, August 16, 1940

I did some laundry this morning, while the children washed the porch again.

This afternoon we went out to Cousin Ola's. Kay was there, and the children had a tea party - grown-ups too, for that matter. Kay is a sweet child. Cousin Ola had pimento cheese sandwiches, cheese grits, graham crackers with marshmallow cream, cottage cheese, lemonade, sherbert and cookies. Jane and David didn't eat the two cheese confections nor the cottage cheese, to my dissatisfaction. Kay very sweetly partook of everything. Jane and David didn't show up well beside her so far as actions were concerned. The children played hide and seek and Jane and Kay hid together all the time from poor little David until I really felt sorry for him but he didn't seem to mind.

Papa took the children to town after supper for Creamsicles. Papa doesn't feel very well - his head aches a great deal.

60 Saturday, August 17, 1940

I was trying to get the children to rest this afternoon when Harris and Thelma stopped by. Of course the children got up, excited to see them. Shortly after they left, the children were still not asleep when their daddy came. Of course they (and I) were thrilled to pieces to see him. David finally dropped off to sleep on the davenport while we were listening to Wendell Wilkie make his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination.

In the meantime Jane went over to Bobby Nixon's. When I told David (about four) that Jane was over where the pony was, he snapped more quickly than usual out of his sleepiness and went over, too.

We went down to Estell’s and Martha's for dinner. The children got along only fairly well with Bobby. David had been waiting since Christmas I think to play with Bobbie's trains (mechanical) and there were some little tiffs over those.

Estell gave us more than a bushel of tomatoes.

Sunday, August 18, 1940

The children went out to the farm with Papa this morning. John went down to bring his mother up here before dinner. The heat was rather intense.

After dinner Jack, Sherfy and Alice stopped for a few minutes.

Mother pretended to cry because the children were going home. It was interesting to see their reactions - I think that Jane understood that Mother wasn't really crying (although perhaps feeling tears on the inside), but David took her seriously and looked disturbed, pleading with her not to cry. This was interesting as development on his part, for not so long ago he laughed to see an adult pretend tears.

We started home shortly after three - well weighed down with baggage. Jane cried a little after we left - said that she didn't want to leave Granny. We drove in the rain, and when we reached home found that it had rained here.

The children were glad to see their toys and their tricycles. They wanted the latter outside even after dark, so we took the steamer chairs out and sat with them while they rode, all of us anointed with Citronella. Ann Tritt came over on her tricycle.

Monday, August 19, 1940

The children have been happy to play with the various neighbor children today. Mrs. Hart and the Schroder-Williams are at outs. Mrs. Hart seemed very upset today -- gave Jane a bathinette of Patty's. She is such a generous person.

61 Clyda and I worked with tomatoes - the ones that Estell gave us Saturday night. Fortunately both children took long naps.

Dick Linton, Ronnie Tritt, Carl, Jimmie and Jane have all been playing on the front porch, since David’s small cars are out there. Carl and Suzanne are here tonight.

Tuesday, August 20, 1940

We washed today. At 11:40 I started for the bus to meet John in town and get our linoleum sample for our paint. The children cried when I left. I was back home by 1:30.

Jane didn't sleep, but David did. Carl, Suzanne, Margie, Maria and Ann were here this afternoon. They all are getting along unusually well this week. The Harts have gone to a cottage out at Turner's Camp for a week.

Jane is enjoying the bathinette a great deal. She bathes Gay, her Betsy-Wetsy doll, in it.

I am trying to cut down on the children's crying. They cry more to the square inch than anybody else in the block.

Wednesday, August 21, 1940

Seven children were here playing this morning-Margie, Maria, Carl, Suzanne, Ann Tritt-and ours. They all got along beautifully.

This afternoon both children napped. Clyda was off.

I mentioned tonight that Mr. Hart had come back for another blanket and said that it was like heaven out at Turner's Park. Jane connecting the two inquired, "Is Heaven cold?"

The children and I drove down by the branch post office to mail a letter tonight and stopped at the A&P as we came back. I had thoughtlessly failed to mention to John that we might do that, and he was worried.

Thursday, August 22, 1940

It was so cool this morning that when Jane and David came to get in bed with me, David asked, "Where are the icicles?" thinking that winter had come, I suppose.

They have been pretty good. David cried when I put iodine on some scratches.

Tonight they rode their tricycles up to Oriole with me and then we went over to the Roberts’ for a few minutes in the car, taking Martha some of oatmeal cookies. I

62 didn't let them go in, although I went in long enough to see some wallpaper samples Betsy had.

Friday, August 23, 1940

The telephone rang before breakfast. It was Mrs. Jackson saying that Peter was out. The screen door was closed, so we investigated to see how he had gotten now. He had been tunneling under the garage to keep cool. Lo and behold he had tunneled all the way under the garage and had come out on the other side. That shows how much brain power he has, for he could've tunneled out under the poultry netting in 30 minutes perhaps, and yet has been working on this perhaps for weeks.

I went to town this morning – browsed - shopped for Mother (wedding gift for Helen Gaines) and purchased a dress and pinafore for Jane at Stewart's (the two latter reduced). The dress is rose-colored, trimmed in white soutache braid. It was $2.95, reduced to $1.25. The pinafore is blue, trimmed in white embroidery, with panties to match, having white panties. The pinafore had a three dollar price marked, reduced to 95 cents.

I brought the children some balloons. Fortunately I got four. David's balloons always seem to get broken easily. He broke two in rapid succession-finally kept the third longer.

Mrs. Vonderhaar was here a little while this afternoon. Her children gave ours some stick candy and I had some difficulty keeping David from eating his just before dinner. He has a way of saying "Here I go" when he is going to do something against orders, and this is the way he announced his intention to eat his candy anyhow.

Since dinner the children and I went to Oriole to mail letters.

Saturday, August 24, 1940

John is now progressing nicely with his painting.

The children and I walked to the barbershop this morning - that is, the children rode their tricycles - and David got the shortest haircut he has ever had. The barber used clippers which I have avoided for him before. He didn't seem to mind though. We went on over to Steiden's. I was able to get out without purchasing candy or chewing gum but did buy one box of animal crackers.

I failed to mention that Bob Atherton was at the barbershop and talked to the children.

As we came home from Steiden's we saw a dead bug on the sidewalk. David asked where it lived, and I told him that he didn't live anywhere, that it was dead. He then asked where the mother bug lived, and I told him in a tree. Next he asked about the

63 daddy bug, and I told them that it lived in a tree. Then he wanted to know where the girl bug was, and the boy bug.

This afternoon I went to the haymarket, Clyda accompanying me.

David announced tonight that he had something on his head like sand but said that it wasn't sand. It was where the clippers had been of course.

Sunday, August 25, 1940

Clyda was here this morning. We went to Sunday School, Jane wearing the new blue pinafore which I bought her at Stewart's Friday for next year. John says that Jane has more clothes than anybody.

This afternoon after rest we went out to call on Howard and Jessie Stolz. We looked at their house - a routine which the children always enjoy. Afterwards we went over to see Billie, Emma Alice and the baby. They have taken a house just across the street from Howard and Jessie. There is a great deal of traffic on McCready, and as we were leaving, both children almost ran in front of cars to our terror, of course.

Naturally we had to return home via Bowman Field. We saw Sally Ann Dougherty and her parents.

Monday, August 26, 1940

We looked for Margaret Jack and Alice Redding today, but they didn't come. The children played with Ann, Carl and Suzy some. Mrs. Hart and Jimmy were at home for the day for the former to wash, but the youngsters didn't get along very well.

Tonight's the children and I went to mail a letter and stopped at the A&P, this time with John's permission. The work on the kitchen continues. New discouragement is that the Sanitas on the lower part of the wall may have to come off. John put a flat coat on it, and it has a tendency to flake off.

Tuesday, August 27, 1940

There was rain today, thank goodness. I thoroughly soaked the grass with the hose yesterday of course. The Reddings didn't come.

David didn't sleep long this afternoon, being afraid of the storm. Since they can't go out, they are pasting on the front porch.

Wednesday, August 28, 1940

Mrs. Hart came by early and we went out to Tucker's Camp with them for the day, John letting us have the car. When we first got there we went walking down by the

64 river to see the boats - then went back to the cottage for the children to put on their bathing suits (Patsy, Jimmie, Jane and David) and go into the wading pool. They had a big time. The sun was hot, nobody else was in, and they enjoyed it thoroughly until lunch. After lunch Jane went with Patsy - David and I went to telephone John - were called in by Mrs. Wirth to use her telephone. She was an amusing sort of elderly woman - said that she liked "classy" folks to my secret amusement, hinting that we were.

The latter part of the afternoon the children played in the sand.

On our way home we came through Crescent Court and saw Mariam out with the colored maid.

Jane and has asked me repeatedly why we don't have a cottage out on the river as the Harts do.

A note from Clyda at home announced that Peter got out before she left. She had him under the back porch.

Tonight-more painting!

Thursday, August 29, 1940

Our 12th wedding anniversary.

We still have a messy, unfinished paint job.

This afternoon when John came home the children met him. Jane ran in excitedly showing me a new dress for Gay which he had brought her. David then appeared with a small Honeymoon Express train (like Bobby Traylor's), saying that it was his "wedding present".

Carol Ma… is moving into the house across the street.

John and I had dinner at the Brown Hotel Coffee Shoppe tonight and went to the Brown to see Myrna Loy and William Powell in (ed. picture not named, but possibly “I Love You Again,” a 1940 release. Plot: Stodgy businessman Powell is headed for divorce from wife Loy when a conk on the head converts him back to his real persona of a slick con artist.) The secondary picture was "The Five Little Peppers out West". The first picture was clever, but the second was silly. However, the little girl in the Peppers thing in one scene wore a dress exactly like the rose one that I bought for Jane at Stewart's last week.

Friday, August 30, 1940

Sallie Ann spent today here. I had invited her and was glad to have her, and we would have gotten along fine with just the three children, but it was raining and they had

65 to play inside. Carl and Suzanne were here all day except at nap time, and Ann Tritt and Carol part of the time, and five or seven were just too many, especially with messy paint in the kitchen.

I painted hardware with aluminum paint today, first cleaning it.

Tonight I went to Mary Sublett's for a shower for Mary Stoddard - driving over with Eleanor Rogers.

Saturday, August 31, 1940

Carl wanted to come in to play, but I had straightened the house somewhat, and after yesterday I didn't feel equal to it. I went to town this morning - bought a pretty doll for Jane at Sutcliffe's for $1.95-one that was supposedly a $3.95 doll.

This afternoon the children went to the A&P with me.

Sunday, September 1, 1940

Clyda was not here today. We went to S.S. and I was surprised to find Mrs. Jackson absent. David didn't much want me to leave him in the Cradle Roll Department today, but in spite of this indication of his unhappiness I felt a trifle upset when Mary Sublett brought him in my room as she came up from the Department. He was snubbing and had evidently been crying hard.

We came home and I prepared our lunch and we drove out to Mitchell Hill for a picnic dinner - ate on the side of the road out there. Consequently the children had late naps.

Ann Poindexter Couey came by to see us before David even got up. She and her husband have moved to their recently acquired home over on Audubon Parkway.

Monday, September 2, 1940

John went over to school this morning in spite of Labor Day, but did come home at one. He is having no relaxation from duties, especially since DuPont is opening offices on Brook Street and deploying men for the new government powder plant at Charleston, Indiana.

The children took no naps, so I let them go over to play with Martha for a while.

Peter got out again today. He's a problem.

Ann Couey has been by twice, relative to telephoning, et cetera.

66 Tuesday, September 3, 1940

The Harts have returned home.

Peters stayed out all last night. We couldn't find him last night, but thought that he was in his tunnel under the garage. John stopped the outside end of it, and he, evidently being out, couldn't get back in. We captured him this morning.

I sat in the steamer chair in the backyard all afternoon. Clyda up was in the basement ironing, and I didn't even come in to dress the children after their naps. Jane didn't go to sleep in fact. She dressed them both.

Today she has taken a renewed interest in her skates, and did well on them. They are quite rusty, a condition which aids her.

John is working on the kitchen light.

Before dinner John and the children went over to the Lovell’s to get a half bushel of grapes and their bunny, which we are going to keep while they are away. The latter is smaller than ours. Peter will be glad to have company.

Wednesday, September 4, 1940

I worked on the grapes this morning. Clyda was off this afternoon. I made a devil's food cake, extracted grape juice, ironed shirts and dressed the children.

We all went to Breitenstein's when John came.

Jane is skating a lot and doing well.

Thursday, September 5, 1940

Today's highlight was the laying of our next kitchen linoleum this afternoon. Stewart's did the work. It is a blue inlaid and three shades. The children hadn't gone to sleep when they came, and of course got up and couldn't resist watching the very interesting process.

The children and I went to Oriole to mail letters, Jane on skates.

Friday, September 6, 1940

I mailed a birthday card to Brother since tomorrow is his birthday.

Martha played over here this morning. Mrs. Hart and I sat out on the driveway with the children, as Carl, Suzanne and Jimmy were playing with the other three, and there were too many for safety otherwise. Martha played with Jane.

67

Tonight I had to go to Mary Sublett's to a committee meeting. John and the children drove me out there-then drove up top of Iroquois hill before coming back for me at 8:30. Mary gave them something - She does almost every time she sees them - a black wooden racehorse, Seabiscuit, for David, and a jigsaw puzzle map of the United States (wood) for Jane. Jimmie had made them. We could scarcely get Jane in bed when we got home - late as it was - so anxious was she to work on her puzzle.

Saturday, September 7, 1940

This morning Ann Poindexter Couey came by and asked if she might borrow the children. I was going to town, so let them go with her. I bought a rag doll for the children to give Suzanne since tomorrow is her birthday. John met me at Stewart's and we went by the Haymarket, against his wishes.

He painted this afternoon, and I went back to the grocery store while he went to DuPont's.

Sunday, September 8, 1940

Clyda was here today. After S.S. the children wanted to go to the river so we drove down and watched some boys get their motor boat out of the water and on a trailer attached to their car.

This afternoon I sat out back in a steamer chair and finished an article that I have written on Peddler Black. John and Jane came out, but David was asleep. Jane bought Choco pops (or similar confections) from a person who couldn't speak good English (I suspected him of Fifth Column motives). After David was up we all walked over to the Coueys, seeing and talking with Betsy and Martha en route.

The Coueys have an attractive home and I was a little afraid the children would break something. David confined himself pretty much however to playing with the fireplace accessories although he liked a lighted ship.

We walked down by the Corley's place (they don't seem to be home yet), then back by the Tritt's for a minute to see their grandfather clock.

Suzanne is sick tonight - chills and fever. We hope that it is nothing serious. Mrs. Schroeder brought us over some of the angel food birthday cake and a pint of ice cream.

Monday, September 9, 1940

This morning we washed. Mrs. Hart and Jimmy went to the state fair and invited us to go along, but John wasn't willing, particularly on Children's Day, because of infantile paralysis in the eastern half of the state.

68

The children - also Karl, Suzie (who is better), Carol and Ann played in Jane's playhouse alongside the garage.

This afternoon I went to town to see some shop windows in a contest - brought David a bell gun.

Britain is being heavily bombed.

Tuesday, September 10, 1940

John is taking Ann Couey with him now when he goes to school as she is working over there for a while, so that gets us up early. He leaves at 8:15.

Turned cooler today. The children played with Carl and Suzanne some, although the former had a cold.

I worked on the window contest today and we went over to Speed School tonight to type my entry.

Wednesday, September 11, 1940

The children and I went to the State Fair with the Roberts this morning. It didn't cost anything for them to get in (any of the three children). We first visited the Merchants and Manufacturers Building, trying to avoid crowds because of infantile paralysis. Next we went to the Kentucky log house, built supposedly in reproduction of some of the pioneer her homes and furnished with antiques. There was a fire in the big fireplace and it felt good, so cool was the day. The children liked this building.

Next we visited the poultry building, admiring the bunnies, the big ganders, the fan tail pigeons which stand back so.

Next we visited the cattle barns, then the sheep and hogs. David wanted to see the farm machinery, so we looked at tractors and such for a while. Next we walked over across the midway and let the children ride the Merry-Go-Round (10 cents each). We all rode with them. At the World's Fair in New York David had wanted to ride on a horse that went up and down like Jane's and his daddy had changed him in mid-course, so I thought that he would like a horse (all of them go up and down here). He cried however and the attendant had to carry him to a seat and I sat with him. Jane and Martha rode horses. It was Martha's first Merry-go-round.

Next we walked over to the Grandstand (nothing doing), then back up to the eating section where we got ice cream cups for the children.

69 In the Merchants Building we again looked at bedspreads, cakes, et cetera, and even at a model railroad to David's delight. It was two o'clock when we got home, and we had to have lunch. Clyda was off.

Tonight we went to mail letters and to Bickel's for peppers.

Thursday, September 12, 1940

Clyda cut up the peppers for the pepper relish. The children have played in most of the day because it is very cool. Tonight John went over to school for night school registration.

Friday, September 13, 1940

I took Jane to town this morning mainly to Montgomery Ward's, the new Woolworth's, and on the new free bus to Sears Roebuck. David was heartbroken not to get to go, but we promised him candy and brought him a candy bar.

Jane and I didn't get up until two. Now my worry is about infantile paralysis, having had Jane in the crowds.

This afternoon Margie and Maria played with the children under the back step. John is over at school tonight.

Saturday, September 14, 1940

We have accomplished a lot today. The children took naps. While I was at Breitenstein's, the Piggly and A&P, John painted the refrigerator.

Boy (ed.-doll) is lost. David thinks that he is at the Hart's.

Sunday, September 15, 1940

Clyda wasn't here. When I leave David at S.S. now he hugs and kisses me strenuously.

We had fried chicken for dinner-the first that I have bought this summer.

Since noon I found Boy out back of the fence.

Harris, Thelma and Tommie came this afternoon. Jane attempted to entertain Tommie with her dolls and paper dolls. I was amused at the way he would attempt to push them away in a hurry. Before they left, the Roberts came.

Mrs. Gordon called today and invited me for dinner Wednesday evening.

70 Monday, September 16, 1940

Yesterday I started a new series of progynon shots and today I had a nauseating sick headache all day. We think there is a connection. I had the children pick clover for the bunnies, and Jane brought a really lovely bouquet of clover blossoms for them.

Tuesday, September 17, 1940

Mrs. Jackson told us this morning that Mr. Jackson can no longer live in this climate, and has gone to Phoenix, Arizona. She is going to join him there and is going to sell her house. We are so sorry.

The children and I rode with John to Steiden's this morning, and then walked home. David insisted upon taking both Boy and Ted (Jane was taking Gay), and then didn't want to carry them home. I made him but it was hard to get him home. I don't know whether his flat feet hurt him, or whether he is lazy.

Peter Pink Ears seems to be sick today. He lies inertly and doesn't eat.

The children had naps.

At 4:45 we started to the Shawnee Park, where we enjoyed a picnic supper with Harris, Thelma and Tommie. We had a good supper-wieners, minute steaks, ham sandwiches, potato salad, deviled eggs, doughnuts, pies, cookies, etc..

Wednesday, September 18, 1940

The children and I walked over to the Corley's this morning. Caroline is going to school at Prestonia this year.

Peter is still sick.

Tonight I went to Mrs. Gordon's for dinner with the Board of the University Women's Club. I drove, Mrs. Kelley going with me.

Thursday, September 19, 1940

I went to town this morning, via Church in order to measure some draperies for our classroom. In town I made some necessary changes and went to the Mill End Shops about the draperies.

Clyda was off this afternoon. I painted the inside of the cabinets.

Peter is very sick, but he came out from under the garage once this afternoon, then disappeared. David said this morning "But the Lovell’s bunny isn't sick, and it ate much clover, too".

71

A.J. and Ruth have a new son born yesterday.

Friday, September 20, 1940

I took the children to town this morning on the 9:12 bus, putting us there at 9:30. We went directly to Kaufman's where I had their pictures made ($3.00 portraits- supposedly-fifty cents), John says that we’ll get 50 cent pictures. Next I took them to Stewart's to have their silhouettes cut by an artist in the children's department this week. Jane was much admired whenever she was in her apple pinafore. I had extra silhouettes (one of each) cut. The first was free-each additional one 25 cents.

We saw Ovie Watts and Mrs. John Walker Moore on our way to the Heyburn building to see Dr. Wood. He wasn't in when we arrived, and I had a hard time keeping David in bounds until he came. Once I took them down to Walgreens to get chewing gum. David put all five cakes of his in his mouth at once then dropped it, with consequent tears, etc.

Dr. Wood said that the muscles in David's legs for some reason hadn't developed as they should-that we must give him a series of exercises-that it will take at least a year to see any results. He said to have him stand on his tip toes, twice a day, increasing the times as he can do them-and to let him see what progress he is making in two weeks. She wanted him in more corrective shoes, and sent us to Byck's, where Ms. Alma fitted him in brown high shoes, size 8 D, putting in them on the inner side a 3/8 inch cork inner sole and building heels on them. The shoes were $3.50-what Byck’s is doing to them one dollar, making them $4.50.

Jane rode the little merry-go-round while he was being fitted -- then they both rode. They received balls on rubber strings as souvenirs. We got the one o'clock bus home.

This afternoon David slept but Jane didn't.

John put the black linoleum on the cabinet working surfaces tonight.

We haven't seen Peter Pink.

Saturday, September 21, 1940

Jane's corduroy suit, size 7, came from Montgomery Ward’s this morning. If it were to shrink much when washed it might be too small. David's shoes were delivered from Byck's.

Peter hasn't been out since day before yesterday.

72 Mrs. Jackson and her sister Mrs. Spillman were here for dinner tonight. I shall be sorry to see Mrs. Jackson go.

Sunday, September 22, 1940

John decided Friday night that he would like to go to Owenton today, so I yesterday declined an invitation of Mary Sublett’s to have dinner with them at the Blue Boar today and go for a long drive this afternoon.

We got away some time after 8:30 and reached Mother’s at 10:45. Against John's wishes I took a packed bag for Jane (without her knowledge), just in case Mother were to urge that she stay. Papa was sitting in the front yard when we got there. And Mother was at church. Papa sent word to her by Evelyn Nixon that she had company, and she came on home.

After dinner Mother accompanied us down to Mrs. Houchens’. Mary Sue was there with her baby, Jerry, and Aunt Sue and Thomas were there. Afterwards the Traylors and Fords came. The new baby is as cute and pretty as it can be. Jane asked me what was the matter with Ruth?

When we got back up to Mother's preparatory to coming home Mother wanted David to stay. Then the talk got around to Jane when we demurred, and in the end we left her although I cried some and Jane a good deal-although she wanted to stay but at the same time didn't want us to go.

David slept all the way home. He wanted Jane before he went to bed.

Monday, September 23, 1940

David got up this morning wanting Jane, and was rather lost for a playmate until I went over and got Carl and Susie to play with him in our basement.

He didn't take a nap this afternoon, consequently was very cross before time for John to take me out to St. Matthews to class meeting at Ollie Kemper's. We took Ada Burress and Freda Fronabarger with us. David was asleep before we got there. I came back with Mr. and Mrs. Fronabarger.

Part of the afternoon I used in trying to run down a costume of 25 years ago for my part in a skit tonight. Mrs. Jackson finally let me have a blue satin blouse and hat, I rigged up a skirt, and Ovie Watts furnished some high buttoned shoes with very pointed toes.

John mailed a new coloring book and crayons to Jane today. He also talked to Doctor Andrews and got some advice on progynon. (ed - Generic name – Estradiol)

73 Tuesday, September 24, 1940

Mrs. Vonderhaar and Marie walk each morning, so David and I accompanied them this morning, the children going on their tricycles. We went as far as Steiden's. I bought a popsicle for David and Choco-pop for Maria. David was so fussy coming home that I finally had to get a switch, and Mrs. Vonderhaar surprised me by agreeing that such a course was wise. Maria's stayed to play for a while after we returned.

Mrs. Lovell stopped by about lunch time.

I found Peter this afternoon-dead back behind the rocks in the pen. He had evidently been there for some days. I put the Lovell’s bunny in the garage, and they came by for him tonight. John says that this ends our bunny pets.

David again didn't nap. Maria came back for a while.

Wednesday, September 25, 1940

There was a long letter from Mother this morning. Jane seems to be all right so far. She had played with Bobby Nixon one morning.

David talked on the telephone to his daddy at noon and for the first time listened to the conversation at the other end and realized that it was his daddy. It tickled him mightily. He has played with Maria again today, and did take a nap this afternoon. He and Maria had a tea party this afternoon.

Thursday, September 26, 1940

The weather is quite cool. Clyda's little brother, David, came over with her today and spent the day. He and David got along beautifully being near the same age. There was some confusion as to names.

I went over to Mrs. Kelley's this morning for a meeting relative to Bundles for Britain.

Tonight John went to meet his class. David was drying the silverware for me and asked me what kind of spoons two certain ones were. I replied that they were tablespoons, but that didn't satisfy him. Finally he inquired, "Are they twins?"-and I said "yes".

Mother writes that Jane is coloring a great deal. Mother had also bought her a new coloring book and crayons.

David has learned to talk on the telephone.

74 Friday, September 27, 1940

Wednesday was the first day that David really carried on an intelligent telephone conversation, and it tickled him to death. I don't believe he had ever really listened before. He would say "Hello, how are you, goodbye" and had to hang up. On Wednesday, though, his daddy asked for him (at noon), told him to go to bed and take his nap and it tickled him. He asked me "Where did that man go?" Yesterday he carried on a more lengthy conversation with his daddy.

This morning he asked me “Mother, do you know the one I like best?" And I said no, who-and he replied "Martha Roberts".

I had a card from Mother saying that she took Jane to the Women's Missionary luncheon yesterday.

David has been looking forward to going over to the Lovell’s to a picnic lunch this morning, but was worried because Jane couldn't go. We walked over about 10:30. The children played until lunch. We all ate together on the kindergarten tables. Betsy and Martha were there-Lenore and Buddy, besides John and Eleanor of course.

I went to town this afternoon and got the proofs of the children's pictures. They are very good. There were four of Jane-three of David-he had moved in one.

I brought David a little five cent green airplane with a tiny yellow plane on top of it. He played with it all evening and even took it to the A&P with us tonight.

Saturday, September 28, 1940

David and I went to Steiden's this morning taking his tricycle. I feel that his tricycle is good exercise for his weak leg muscles. He can now go up on his tiptoes 20 to 25 times.

We have been preparing for Papa and Mother, Paul and Ermine and all of Uncle Boy's family tomorrow.

David didn't sleep and got so cross that I put him to bed at 6:30.

Sunday, September 29, 1940

The day dawned sunny and not so cool as the last several days. John and David went to S.S. I was particularly anxious for David to go since he was due to be promoted, but his daddy was never able to get him to go down to the Cradle Roll Department, and he went with him to his class. When they came back they brought Bobby Greene with him. He is here attending medical school, is staying at the AKK house on East College.

75 It must have been shortly after 12 that the first car came-Paul, Ermine, Papa, Mother, Uncle Boy and Jane. They had left after the others but got here first. It was good to see Jane. It wasn't long until the others arrived-Bob, Gypsy, Betty Lou, Lewis, Blanche and Aunt Dink. We were so happy to have them all.

We shortly served dinner-eight at the dining table, six at card tables in the living room -- Jane and David at their table. Everything went fine, and we had plenty of food, except that due to a slight accident relative to the hot rolls there weren't as many as I would have liked. Mother brought old ham and a whole angel food cake for Papa's birthday. We had roast veal, Italian spaghetti, cauliflower with hollandaise sauce, peas, congealed fruit salad, potato chips, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese balls, damson plum conserve, red and green pepper relish, coffee, iced tea, ice cream (brick-vanilla and lime sherbert), and the birthday cake that I had made with eight candles (Jane's and David's combined ages),meringues, Toll House cookies, mints.

In the afternoon Cousin Frank, Inez and Mariam came. Brother made some pictures outside. Before we knew it they all had to go. Jane cried-wanted to go with them-even though she said that she was homesick to come back one night.

John took them for a little drive to see the trains. I took Mrs. Jackson some of Mother’s angel food and some fruit salad.

Monday, September 30, 1940

Papa's birthday-71

We got up late-7:30-first morning that Ann Couey didn't go with John, and we went backwards-must do better tomorrow. By the hardest I got the children ready for nursery school by the time Mrs. Lovell came-shortly after nine. We decided to let David go this morning-although we can't afford it.

This afternoon all three of us took naps. I let Clyda go at 3:10, as she stayed overtime yesterday.

Tuesday, October 1, 1940

As I write, Professor Quiz is on the air, and it is rather difficult to write.

I went to town on the 20 of 11 bus, bought shoes at the Boston-bought gifts for John Andrew and Mary Lou, took the children's proofs back-selecting a smiling one in the case of each (it was certainly hard to eliminate)-then started to the women's club to hear Angela Patri. I was to meet Betsy at three-saw Jean and Martha in the car at Fourth and Broadway-so got to ride out with them (they were waiting for Betsy).

76 Angela Patri puts the influence of the school below that of the home-thinks the rarest opportunity is that of each parent.

Wednesday, October 2, 1940

Tomorrow is Mary Lou's first birthday. I mailed the new baby a little pair of blue shoes and Mary Lou a new dress.

This morning I went over to the Speed School and typed my article on Peddler Black, riding the Eastern Parkway bus.

The children seemed to be enjoying Mrs. Lovell's group.

Mother's letter today said that all had a good time Sunday.

Thursday, October 3, 1940

I went over with the children to Mrs. Lovell's today, since I was supposed to help her one day a week to get the reduced rate. David was rather cry-babyish by my being there. Jane was fine until the end. I had part of the children outside and suggested that they play Indian. I asked who wanted to be chief, and Carol Nartersteck said she did. I told her that she might, and Jane went off crying and saying that she wouldn't play unless I let her be leader. She has shown such a tendency several times and I don't know how to combat it. She did well on painting a banana that was in the window. Lenore Litkenhous came over to help them with their painting.

This afternoon I went to town, selling some old clothes at a secondhand store and being disgusted that I couldn't take the books I had carried in town to the secondhand bookstore because it was closed for the religious holiday. I looked at jacket suits.

Tonight I went to hear Sigrid Undset, taking Claudine. We went over to school with John (he taught a night class) and drove on down. We saw Mrs. Straw in the lobby and sat together -- also a Miss Crosby, friend of Claudine's. Madame Undset has a very pessimistic outlook for the world, as could be expected after she lost her son, home and country in the Battle of Norway. It was hard to follow her.

Friday, October 4, 1940

I went back to town this morning and bought a jacket and skirt at Kaufman's-a blouse at Lerners. I missed the 12 o'clock bus, and sat in the Camp Taylor bus station for a long time talking to a Mrs. Barnes of Camp Taylor about her 13 month old baby which has cataracts on its eyes. That sort of thing makes one so very thankful for God's blessings on one's own. I pray that the baby may be helped to see.

77 The children and I took long naps. At five we went over to the Wilkinson's to their tea for the newcomers to the Speed faculty. It was nice to see everybody.

John went to hear Drew Pearson tonight.

Mrs. Fenwick's mother died yesterday.

Saturday, October 5, 1940

I have been suffering with cystitis since Tuesday afternoon. Today I have been worse, and John took me to Dr. Carlisle Morse this afternoon. John is getting ready to go to Chattanooga tomorrow.

Sunday, October 6 1940

I had a good night and have felt much better today, thanks to Dr. Morse's prescription.

John left about 8:30 this morning. The Fifes came by and took the children and me to S.S., as they went to their S.S. Last Sunday was Promotion Day, and although Jane wasn't present, she got to go in a higher class in Miss Nettie’s Department. There were some differences of opinion about David. He hasn't wanted to go in the Cradle Roll Department for some time-has had quite an aversion to it, in fact. One of the helpers in that department had told me some months ago that he would be promoted in September. This surprised me, since I thought he had to be four. When I got there this morning Miss Nettie said that his name hadn’t been given to her, but that he should be in her department. I asked Mrs. Cralle, and she said that he couldn't be promoted yet. Since I was supposed to be upstairs, I didn't have time to get the whole matter adjusted, but left him in Miss Nettie's Department today. As a matter of fact, he wouldn't go in the Cradle Roll department.

It was Homecoming Day in my S.S. class, and we had 97.

The children and I walked to Preston Street after church and rode the Camp Taylor bus home. Clyda had come over at eight this morning and helped get things done- then had gone on to her church.

The children and I had a very simple dinner in contrast to the more expensive dinners that we have when John is here.

They never did go to sleep. I took a short nap. We then walked over to Widgeon to mail some letters--came back-picked up walnuts in the back-- we already have more than half a bushel (unshelled) off our tree. Then, the Reverend and Mrs. Couey came.

The children are all ready asleep, I believe. I asked Jane at supper tonight about nursery school tomorrow-whether she would rather go or stay at home and play with Carl

78 and Suzanne. She said that she would rather do the latter-- that there are too many children over at nursery school.

Monday, October 7, 1940

Children to nursery school this morning. I felt fair most of the day. This afternoon there was a special delivery airmail from John., written from Chattanooga this morning. Clyda took the children and Carol for a walk to mail my letters, and they went all the way to Preston Street.

After supper I didn't feel good-- had a chill -- called Dr. Morse. He told me to take an extra dose of my medicine. I did so, and went to bed.

Tuesday, October 8, 1940

I had a sort of uncomfortable night, and haven't felt good today. The children both took naps this afternoon so we've let them stay up tonight while we listened to several radio programs. They went with Clyda again this afternoon to mail letters, but they went only as far as Widgeon today.

Wednesday, October 9, 1940

I was on the verge of chills last night, but didn't have any full-fledged ones. Today has been sunny, and I felt better. Tonight however I am foregoing the Speed wives' dinner.

Clyda went to town and home, but came back.

Jane and David are having a brother and sister fuss over David's dump truck right now. David is saying, "Give me that truck. You've been riding it a wong time". He has just won the struggle by upsetting her backwards and getting the truck. In the mix-up she bit him.

Thursday, October 10, 1940

Such a pretty day! I brought in some fall leaves out of the yard this morning. Mrs. Kent called to invite us for dinner tomorrow evening. I was pleased to have the invitation. Clyda however said that it becomes monotonous to stay over here so much, which I granted, but resented a bit her way of saying it. So we had a talk. Clyda is fine-- none better-- but I see all people get on each other's nerves occasionally. She of course wants time to herself, and we tried to be fair about it, but things have stacked up a bit in the last two weeks.

I took the children over to the tree on the other side of Mrs.Sohavre's this afternoon-- Carl and Suzanne going along. Ronnie and Ann came over to. While we were there Betsy and Martha came. I had gone back to get Susie's doll carriage and in

79 that short space, David proceeded to break Mrs. Jackson's house number, which Ronnie had broken off. It is one out in the yard, which shows at night. I don't know whether John can fix it or not. Mrs. Jackson is leaving for good on Saturday. It is going to be hard to give her up.

John got home at 10 of 6. He brought Jane a pencil box, David an air plane (just like one he has except it is red, where his other one was blue). John is teaching night school tonight.

Friday, October 11, 1940

There was a bit of a tiff when the children came home from Mrs. Lovell’s at noon. David wanted to show the others his new airplane that his daddy brought him, and Jimmie Hart asked for his old one like it. I told him that he could play with it sometimes. David didn't want him to have it, and Jane hit Jimmie. Mrs. Hart took Jimmie on home. I have talked to David and tried to get him to agree to give one of his airplanes away.

John took me to Dr. Morse at three this afternoon, and he gave me a pretty thorough physical examination. When we got back John drove Clyda and the children up to the barber shop for David to have his haircut.

We went to Dr. and Mrs. Kent's for dinner-- had such a nice time. They are very informal and they're entertaining. The Moores were also there.

Saturday, October 12, 1940

I meant to get up at 5:30 this morning in order to have breakfast for Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Spillman early, but after several awakenings (too early), finally slept until 6:20. We had breakfast before seven however. The rest of the time until Mrs. Jackson left we devoted as much as we could to being at her command. Her son and daughter in law arrived at 11:10, I believe it was.

Mrs. Jackson had said that they were going to eat on the road and had asked Clyda to fry a chicken which she (Mrs. Jackson) had previously ordered. They finally ate over here.

I made some pictures of Mrs. Jackson and the children before she left. She didn't want to tell anybody goodbye.

After they left we drove Jane and David down to Neighborhood House for Gordon Brigham's birthday party. They took him a box of coloring books and a box of some fudge that I had made.

Tonight Mrs. Jackson's house is all dark and it seems so strange. I hated to give her up.

80 Jane got a playhouse-cleaning-set at the party, and David got a roller-- just what he wanted, he said Sunday, October 13, 1940

Clyda was off. We went to S.S., David going in my class, since there was some doubt about David and I still didn't have time to iron out the matter before class. David caused a laugh in my class. Miss Watkins said that since we had all been good little girls and boys-then she corrected herself said "good little girls" and "one little boy", she was going to give us something-- paper bound volumes of the Gospel of St. Luke to read while we are studying Luke-- and that she wanted us to carry them in our purses to work with us. David spoke up in all the quietude, "My daddy won't let (wet) me go to work". Everybody laughed-- then he added "One time I went to work" (he had gone with John one morning).

After S.S. we drove to the locks and watched the tug from Pittsburgh pushing a whole bunch of barges through the locks. The children enjoyed the bridge that swings around as much as anything else.

Then we went to French village to eat-- saw the Adams from on Wolfe Avenue. We came home afterwards (it is very warm), then decided to go for a drive in southern Indiana.

As we started out the realtor from the Fidelity and Columbia who was over at Mrs. Jackson's to show the house told us that he thought a squirrel was getting the walnuts we have drying on the chicken house roof. (John had told him about it). He kept seeing a squirrel go by with a walnut in his mouth, started counting, and had counted nine trips that the squirrel had made with walnuts. We put them in the garage.

The Corleys went with us on our drive. David slept most of the way over. We went to within 16 or 18 miles of French Baden and West Lick. We stopped once and got Coca-Colas, etc.-- saw twins. The autumn leaves were beautiful. The three children had a good time.

Monday, October 14, 1940

At noon today David gave Jimmy his new plane, said that he wanted a bomber plane, but Jimmy gave it back.

I went to town this afternoon to get the children's pictures but I'm only moderately pleased with the finish. I came back by St. Joseph's to see Mrs. Vanderhaar.

John is having dinner out tonight.

Tuesday, October 15, 1940

81 I went over to nursery school this morning to help Mrs. Lovell. Lenore Litkenhous was there also, so Mrs. Lovell had me take charge of the six smaller ones (David Berg, David Paul, Eleanor, Patty Shore, Lou Ann Jones and Jerry Moore) while she and Lenore took care of the larger group (older). The hours are from nine to 12. Ethel furnishes transportation. We got along all right this morning (my group), except that David Berg and Eleanor had some troubles. Mrs. Berg visited for a while, and I was glad to have her there to help out with David.

My new medicine must be keeping me sleepy. I slept all afternoon. Tonight we went over to Mrs. Jackson's garage and got a hose reel and some other things. She said that we might have anything that we wanted. The Salvation Army is coming tomorrow.

Wednesday, October 16, 1940

Mrs. Lovell had 14 at nursery school this morning. Since Jane and David are going over there they have their baths and tooth washing at night instead of before their lunch. This is a departure from a custom which I had observed since their babyhood.

Jane didn't nap. Clyda was off. Late in the afternoon we walked over to Corley's to get my yarn and needles for Bundles for Britain.

The Salvation Army came and got a lot of things this morning that belonged to Mrs. Jackson out of her garage.

I had washed Jane's doll clothes the other day while she was at nursery school and hurt her feelings because I didn't let her do it. Today when Clyda was finishing the ironing she asked me whether she should iron Jane's doll clothes or let her do them. I told her to iron the harder pieces and leave some of the flat pieces for Jane to do. When Jane found out about it this afternoon her little girl heart was broken. I told her that it was all my fault not Clyda's-and that we would re-sprinkle them all and let her iron them if she wanted to.

When we started to the Corleys Jane left her baby doll, Gay, over at the Vanderhaars'. When we got home just after dark she discovered the loss and had her daddy go with her to get Gay-said that she wouldn't get along without her baby. She loves Gay.

Thursday, October 17, 1940

Lenore and I helped Ethel Lovell at nursery school this morning. The hours from nine to 12 absolutely fly by here at home, but over there they drag interminably. What else can we do for the youngsters until time to leave? She had 14 today.

Afterwards I went to my book club luncheon over at Sarah Ernst’s. Martha stayed here part of the time that we were gone. Betsy and I were back here at a quarter of four.

82

John taught tonight.

Friday, October 18, 1940

Nursery school again. Just a rush in the morning for Dr. Lovell comes at 8:15 to ride over with John. I fixed his lunch. Clyda arrives about 8:45.

This afternoon at Cousin Inez's invitation I went out to her clubhouse to hear Bertha Damon who wrote "Grandma Called it Carnal". She was the most entertaining speaker that I have heard for a long time.

Then I came home (I had car) and John and I went with the Fifes in their car to the President's reception down at the Pendennis. Nice time.

Tonight John went to a football game. I got so interested in trying to straighten out my knitting (I started knitting for Bundles for Britain yesterday) that I inadvertently let the children stay up until 25 of nine.

Saturday, October 19, 1940

All the days seem so full. In between I am in the throes of deciding on a book for reviewing at the University Women's Club, and am about to decide on "Europe in the Spring" by Clare Boothe (ed.-Clare Boothe Luce).

I had much to do this morning, but went with Ann Couey when she came by to buy my groceries in the morning.

This afternoon we took the children with us out to Dr. Morse's. John took them to Bowman Field while I saw the doctor. Then to the Library (à la Samuel Pepys) then home at 5:30 or past. After supper I couldn't resist running over to see the Vanderhaar's new baby, Clyda and the children having seen it this morning. We have invited Mrs. Houchens, the Traylors, A.J. and Ruth, Aunt Sue and Thomas for tomorrow

Sunday, October 20, 1940

David didn't want to go to Sunday School this morning-said that he wanted to be here to play with Bobby Traylor. I told him however that he couldn't wear his new suit (a dubonnet knitted one from Kaufman's-$1.25) unless he went, so he decided to go, and didn't even want to wear a coat, even though it was quite cool, so proud was he of his suit. I prevailed on him in regard to the coat. They arrived-- the folks-- just at 11, just a few minutes before John and the children arrived from S.S. We had dinner very shortly after 12. They all seemed to enjoy their dinner. Bobby liked riding David's tricycle best. He fell and hurt his knee before they left-- the only trouble. They had to leave shortly after three as darkness comes early now.

83 After their departure we walked down to the Coles’-- the children peddling their tricycles -- but Dr. and Mrs. Cole weren't at home. Next we walked up to the Roberts’- Betsy’s sister Julia is there but they had gone for a drive evidently, so we came home, got in the car and drove up to the Curry’s. The children are always glad to go there. Jimmie was just getting up from his nap. The boys brought Jimmie's fort and soldiers upstairs and Jane worked on a puzzle. All were completely satisfied. We came home at six.

My article on Peddler Black was in the paper today.

Monday, October 21, 1940

The children each brought me an invitation which they had made at nursery school, inviting me to their Halloween party on Thursday.

At noon while we were eating lunch Jane said that Jimmy Hart was always saying that he was going to marry her, but she always told him she couldn't, that she is going to marry Jimmie Curry. She said that Jimmy Hart is so much younger than she, which wouldn't do (he is seven months younger). She also asked if it were possible for John Lovell to have more than one girlfriend--that he first said that Carol was his girlfriend, then Jane, then Doris Lee and even others. I told her he must be pretty fickle.

Carl and Suzy were back today after a week at their other grandmother’s. Jane and David seemed glad to see them. They usually get along well with them.

They both took naps this afternoon. I was glad; for I have been afraid they aren't getting enough sleep.

My Peddler Black article was butchered, mutilated, to fit into a given space-even grammatical errors. I was humiliated. They sent me two dollars, but that was meager pay for such embarrassment in the eyes of my friends.

Tuesday, October 22, 1940

Yesterday when Jane was talking about marrying Jimmie Curry, John remarked that if they were ever to carry out their present intention to marry each other, with both of them having asthma they would certainly produce asthmatic children.

The day has been quite warm. They wore their corduroy overalls and jackets over to Mrs. Lovell’s but really didn't need them by noontime.

Brother called from somewhere in town tonight. Both children talked to him and David was rather sassy or "frisky" as Brother termed it, in his talking. He has a way of saying "I'll knock you over, you old rattlesnake"-or some such in rather a derogatory way which won't be cute as he gets older.

Wednesday, October 23, 1940

84

David this morning asked me if there weren't a little brown-ness in his eyes and kept on about the matter so pitifully (he evidently considers himself a sort of black sheep since we have told him often that three of us have brown eyes and he has blue ones) that I finally told him that I could see a gleam of brown-ness in them. Jane refuted this to his dissatisfaction. Then he came home from nursery school to say that Carol had said there was no brown-ness in his eyes, and that she was a bad girl to say that. I still encouraged him by saying that I saw a little brown, but at the same time telling him how distinctive and nice it was to have blue eyes-- that he was like Granddad Sidebottom and his Granddad Houchens.

Today has been really warm. The children and I walked up to the mailbox at Widgeon without wraps.

Thursday, October 24, 1940

Jane was greatly pleased this morning because I let her help me scramble the eggs for breakfast.

This was the great day of the Halloween party. There were mothers and children galore over at the Lovell's. What children didn't have costumes we fashioned costumes for of crepe paper or cambric. Jane was a Dutch girl, David a pirate (leftover costume) Jimmy Hart a pirate, Margaret Fife a Dutch girl, David Berg a grenadier guard and so on. High light for Jane was that she and Margaret got to help pass the tea party.

After lunch at home I rested, then made a flying trip to town (one hour), back, helped dress the children, took them over to the Roberts’ to see Betsy and her sister, Julia-home - then tonight made tomato ketchup.

Friday, October 25, 1940

I went to town on the 10:12 bus-did some hurried curtain looking between 10:30 and 11, met Betsy, Martha and Betsy's sister Julia at Stewart's at 11-shopped with them a while-then took them to lunch at French Village. We came on the 2:30 bus. Jane was helping Clyda run the hose out front. David was still asleep but got up. They stayed only long enough to see the children's pictures and talked for a minute.

Saturday, October 26, 1940

David vomited during the night. We went to the A&P last night to do our week- end marketing, and the children wanted chewing gum. David wanted a whole cake of Dentyne in his mouth, and after we came home he went to bed with it in his mouth. When he vomited about 2:30, I found the large piece of chewing gum in his bed, so it evidently got back in his throat and gagged him, should teach us not to let him go to bed with chewing gum in his mouth to avoid more serious consequences.

85 I prevailed on John to remake the perennial bed back by the fence and garage this afternoon. This he accomplished by some hard work under a downright hot sun. I had hosed the bed this morning and carried out some compost for it.

It was warm enough this afternoon for me to go to the doctor's without a coat.

Tonight we and the Roberts with Julia, went to the Fife’s for dinner-had such a nice time-hot political discussions too.

Sunday, October 27, 1940

I got up at 7:15 this morning inspired to make a coffeecake – had it in oven, and breakfast about ready- heard a car door-looked out to see Papa and Mother. The children were thrilled. Mother, John and the children went to S.S. Papa and I stayed here. Cousin Ray and Barbara came by for a little while.

When they got home from S.S. they said that Mother had stayed with them in their department and that a song had been sung in her honor.

This afternoon we drove them out to Bardstown to see My Old Kentucky Home, Papa not having been out there. Mother and John also visited the Cathedral.

Papa was extremely tired when we got back, and went to bed early.

Monday, October 28, 1940

At breakfast this morning the children were having a fuss. David threatened to throw milk at Jane, and she told him if he did that that would be like throwing eggs at Wilkie-so political discussions are having repercussions in our immediate household. Papa went, as John did, over to the Rosenbaum place to see about his wool.

Mother called Dr. Virgil Simpson's office to make an appointment for Papa and they told us to bring him right on-that was about nine-so that by the time we drove to get him and I let them out at the Brown building it was 10 o'clock. Papa was there until 4:20, taking tests and what-not all day to the tune of $47. This is what we have been working on though-to get him to have a complete examination.

Mother and I finally went out and shopped-- rather, she did most of the shopping, buying a dress and hat. I took one of David's pictures back to Kaufman's as the hypo hadn't been fully washed off, and it was turning brown. I can't get it before the seventh.

We then went back to the office-- then went out for lunch to the Blue Boar as Papa wasn't permitted lunch. I then went to the library and looked up some material on Clare Boothe --then back to the office until 4:20 when Papa got out. He wouldn't hear to not going home tonight, and they started on. I drove them to Crescent Hill.

86 Must work on my book review "Europe in the Spring."

David was greatly perturbed when we got home from Crescent Hill. He said that Granddad had forgotten the thing that he spitted in. Mother had a spittoon here in the living room for Papa to use.

Tuesday, October 29, 1940

I have worked on my review all today.

Jane said that John and Buddy climbed out on the porch roof this morning.

When they came home from nursery school Carol said that her mother wasn't home and said for her to eat lunch over here. That didn't sound right to me, but we let her eat lunch. Sure enough her mother called from home and had been worried about her.

Wednesday, October 30, 1940

John made the children each a jack o' lantern tonight to their delight, course.

I have given most of the day to "Europe in the Spring."

Yesterday I had a long letter from Mrs. Jackson.

Thursday, October 31, 1940

I went over to nursery school this morning. It was a hard three hours, for there were 16 children, including John and Eleanor. I always feel a great sense of responsibility when I am over there with them.

This afternoon I worked on my book review again. Tonight we were going to the Lovell’s to a Halloween party. Before dark --in fact before Jane and David were up from their naps, Margie and Maria came over in very cute costumes which their father had bought them. I got the children up, put their costumes on them, and let them go out with them. Carl and Suzy joined them outside later and they all played together. We lighted their jack o' lanterns, having one in the front window and one on the porch.

The children were invited over to the Vanderhaar's after supper. Mr. Vanderhaar came for them at 6:30. John hurried off to night school. I was trying to figure out what to wear to the party and Mrs. Hart had just brought something over when Ethel Lovell called to say that her mother was quite ill and she is going to Pennsylvania. The party is of course off.

I was so sorry to hear about her mother's illness and hope that she can find her better.

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Friday, November 1, 1940

I put some last-minute touches on my review this morning. It was rainy and the children played in the basement, seeming to enjoy it.

Gladys Corley came by for me, Adele, Claudine, Mrs. Kornhauser and I sat together. Dr.Broderius talked on Mexico. It was marvelous getting my review off of hand. I went on immediately to Dr. Morse's taking Claudine to Shelby and driving Mrs. Winter to St. Matthews. Then on my way back for John and I stopped at the A&P-then home.

Sort of relaxed tonight.

Saturday, November 2, 1940

Children and I went with Mrs. Couey up to Steiden's and to Huber's before we had really finished breakfast.

Then home, where I got ready for town-- drove in with the Coueys. John picked me up at Fourth and Jefferson at 1:15. Traffic was bad, and we didn't get home until 5 of 2-- grabbed some lunch, grabbed the children, and -- to the U. of L.-Georgetown football game (Manual Stadium)-- game scheduled at two o'clock. We picked up Claudine and Margaret and took them.

The children enjoyed it. The day was warm, although I had them wear their corduroy overall-jacket-peaked cap sets because of the coolness that sets in toward evening. More than the actual playing they enjoyed the two bands, their sponsors, drum majors, etc.-and the cheerleaders. The two bands worked together to form U.S.A. on the field at half and played "God Bless America". The children were all pleased. They all had ice cream Choco pops. Then Jane and David had Coca-Colas and Margaret had popcorn. Georgetown won 19-14.

Jane seemed to be feeling bad as we came home and wanted no supper. The Coca-Cola on top of the ice cream was an unwise choice, I think.

Sunday, November 3, 1940

I gave Jane aspirin and milk of magnesia last night. She seemed better this morning but didn't want to go to S.S. We went, Clyda being here. Mrs. Nettie said that David is so responsive, and Mrs. Stewart said that he was so cute-- would talk up when some wouldn't.

Jane seemed better when we got home, and ate dinner. The day has been warm. John raked some leaves. David got sick just the way Jane did last night-she said that her

88 head hurt when she moved it without moving her body, and he said that his head hurt when he moved it this afternoon. She had temperature last night and he had it today.

I gave him aspirin and an enema this afternoon and he seemed better. Jane however having seemed better all day complained of her throat and ears hurting her tonight when she drank milk.

Monday, November 4, 1940

The day has been very warm. I have kept Jane in bed, however, she complained that her right near, throat and stomach hurt her. I had given her aspirin. Both she and David have now had complete bowel clean outs if it were any type of intestinal flu that they have had.

David stayed in practically all day too. I didn't let him go out to play with Maria even, as I am not sure just what they have both had. The air (radio) is split with the mighty campaigning of the Roosevelt-Wilkie factions. Tomorrow is election day.

Tuesday, November 5, 1940

Rain this morning and much colder this afternoon. First of all we (John and I) went up and voted this morning.

I have kept Jane in bed until tonight. Since supper she has been in the living room.

I went to town today but spent a large part of the time that I was there in Dr. Wood’s office, waiting to confer with him about David's case (money for the year).

I brought Jane a new paper doll book-David a milk tank car for his little train. He wants a train that will run on a track.

Wednesday, November 6, 1940

The weather has at last turned colder.

Well, we sat up last night and listened to election returns until midnight. President Roosevelt is back in for an unprecedented third term, and Wilkie, in spite of his hard fight, is defeated. John voted for Wilkie. It was hard for me to know just whom to vote for, so confused were the issues, but I did vote for Wilkie, and am glad that I did.

Both children took naps today. I had them go outside later in their snow suits of last year-rather Jane’s red legging set, and David's blue snow suit (His is now in the third winter) to see if they could still wear them. In both cases they were pretty tight.

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Thursday, November 7, 1940

I went with Mrs. Gragg and Mrs. Kellogg out to the knitting group this morning at Mrs. Gordon's, then home to be busy sorting and putting away summer clothes this afternoon.

The children played outside for a while instead of taking naps.

John has gone over to New Albany tonight to make a talk on vocational guidance to the combined Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

Friday, November 8, 1940

Clyda sent word by Lena this morning that she fell down the basement stairs at home last night and sprained her ankle. How bad it is I don't know. A bad sprain could cause her a lot of trouble. We have managed all right. I didn't do the regular Friday cleaning, but got some other things done which needed doing sadly.

The children played out this morning and again this afternoon. I took a nap while they were supposedly resting. At 2:20 I told Jane to put their shoes and corduroys on and go on outside. At three Jane called me to say that she just couldn't seem to get her suit on. I awakened to discover her trying to squeeze herself into David’s suit, which is just like hers except for size. Whether she had been working on it for 20 minutes or not I don't know.

Saturday, November 9, 1940

John went to Cincinnati today. Dean Wilkinson has been made director (regional) of the new defense program sponsored by the government and has under his jurisdiction the six engineering schools in this area. John has been asked to handle the work at Speed School. Today he and Mr. Hammons went up with Dean and Mrs. Wilkinson in their car-leaving here at 6 a.m.-to a meeting at the University of Cincinnati-the Wilkinsons were going along to Dayton for the weekend so John and Mr. Hammons came home on the train.

I didn't much look for Clyda, but she came limping in at her regular time, and has done a lot of work today to have a bum ankle.

After she came I decided to take David to Dr. Wood. He said that D. has as relaxed muscles as he ever saw, and although he didn't offer much encouragement, he said that the only hope is in exercise. I had taken Jane along, planning to bring them both directly home from the Heyburn building. However we walked on up to Woolworth’s to get some hair curlers and then I decided to take them by the Kentucky Hotel to order my Stayform. En route we passed Stebbin's Grill and they saw a live lobster (no novelty to

90 them after Gloucester). From the Kentucky it was more practical to come home on the Camp Taylor bus, so we came by Stewart’s to see the toys. David went for the airplanes, boats and trains in a big way, Jane for the dolls and dollhouses. There is undoubtedly an inherent difference between boys and girls. David spied a ferry boat which he wanted with little celluloid cars on it. Then-thrill of thrills they saw and interviewed Santa. David wasn't shy-- walked right up to him told him that he wanted the ferry boat-- couldn’t remember anything else for the moment and I reminded him that he wanted a train which runs on the track. Jane wouldn't go so near and I had to stand near her. She told him that she wanted a doll's high chair (she had just got the inspiration for that), a nurse's set, a sink that holds water, and a sewing machine.

We came home on the bus--I went to Steiden's--then we took Clyda home and came back by Breitenstein's.

Tonight all their talk was of Santa Claus. I was amused when David told me tonight that he saw a blanket under some of Santa’s fur and whiskers. Jane being shyer had fortunately not gone so near and had not seen it-- thought David was mistaken. I was glad that she didn't see it, as she might have suspected.

Sunday, November 10, 1940

We all went to S.S. David is much happier in the other department than he was in the Cradle Roll. The afternoon was a very restful one. I went to church tonight with the Coueys to the 4th Ave Baptist Church of which he is pastor. It was a drizzly night.

When I came home, John said that he had driven the children over to Highland Park to see the trains.

Monday, November 11, 1940

This is an ironic sort of Armistice Day. It hasn't been cold but the wind has been terrific.

Clyda came in, her foot much better. John went to school, but came out at one, got the children and me and took us in to see the parade. We viewed it from Fourth and Breckenridge. It was the children's first parade and they liked it thoroughly, especially the bands. It was military-American Legion, Fort Knox, K.M.I., etc.-no floats.

John brought them on home and I stayed to buy my curtain material. I didn't get home until almost dark, and Clyda and Lena had to walk then. I felt bad about it.

Tuesday, November 12, 1940

Our book club met to Claudine's today. Margaret had made fudge herself and sent some to the children. She was also stringing this little star-shaped macaroni into necklaces. She sent Martha a necklace and Jane a bracelet.

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When I got home Jimmie Curry was here while his mother was at a meeting. Although it was rather cold, the three children were in the yard wrestling (rassling, as Jane quoted) with Dick Linton, Ronnie and Carl. Ann and Suzie were spectators if not participants. They all had a wild and woolly time until dark.

John goes over to school and works every night. I failed to say that the children went to sleep at 6:30 and I at seven Saturday night, so we were all asleep when he returned from Cincinnati about nine. He had had dinner at Mary Sue's.

Wednesday, November 13, 1940

It's been very cold today. David arose with a croupy cough and said that his throat hurt, but seemed to feel better as the day wore on. Jane was outside a while this afternoon and he entreated so that we let him go for twenty minutes or so. Margie and Maria came in with them and they all read and colored.

Our Speed wives had our dinner the Brown Hotel Tea Shop tonight, and then came out to the Wilkinson’s.

Thursday, November 14, 1940

I have worked on the kitchen curtains today. Clyda was off. Children did not go out all day.

92 Book # 19- November 15, 1940-February 7, 1941

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Friday, November 15, 1940

Jane has a boil on her right leg just below the knee on the outside. It opened yesterday and got a lot of pus and blood out, as I used to do out of David's.

This morning I had an appointment at 10:30 to get my new Stayform, and another at 11 to have my haircut. I went in on the 10:12 bus. Unfortunately my Stayform was

94 the wrong size and they had to send it back. In town I stayed until 4:30 (when I got home) going to Ben Snyder's and all the way back down Fourth with frequent stops until I got to the library-then via streetcar home. It was one of those days on which I had much shopping to do-buying winter underwear for the children, finding mittens to go with her red suit, looking for a parka for her, getting blanket binding, matching thread, taking my skirt to have the zipper repaired, and so on.

When I got home, Clyda had set the table but had made no dinner preparation because I had given her no instructions as to what we would have-thinking that I would be at home sooner.

The first thing that I did after I came in was to dress Jane's leg, getting a lot more pus out of it. Jane cries terribly about such an operation--even when I pull the adhesive off with the aid of Energine.

John went back over to school. He has every night this week except Wednesday.

David has been playing a game this week in which he is a little kitten named Fluff who stands outside the door and meows for me to let him in out of the ice and snow. When he comes in I pat him on the head and say "Poor little kitty". I asked him whose kitten he had been and he said "Mr. McGregor's". He said that Mr. McGregor had kicked him. This seemed inconsistent with Mr. McGregor's other behavior, for when I asked him if he got his feet wet in the ice and snow he said "No", that Mr. McGregor brought him in a car and carried him to the door. David is quite imaginative in his play. Jane is more of a realist, although she sometimes plays "pretend" games with him.

We now have both a Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward toy catalog, and armed with one each, they pour over them for hour after hour.

I don't know whether I have recorded this or not, but Jane said that she didn't want Santa to waste any money on dolls or books for her-that she has all of those that she needs. She knows other things that she wants.

Saturday, November 16, 1940

We were busy this morning. I didn't look in the mail box until 11-- found cards from both our mothers telling of the death of John's great-uncle, Mr. Doty. The funeral was to be at two o'clock yesterday afternoon (ed.-this afternoon). I couldn't even get in touch with John and it was 12 when he got the message. He came right on home and we left at 25 of 1. We drove too fast, especially on the Gratz road but were in Owenton at 2:15. I took the children on to Mother’s. She and Papa were at the funeral as expected. At three she and Papa returned. We told them that we had to come back. (ed. – to Louisville) They were disappointed. Papa went to town to get the children some chewing gum. David tried to whisper to him that he wanted to go out to see Junior (Lucas).

95 At 3:20 John was back from the cemetery. We went down to his uncle's house to see all the relatives then down to his mother's to see Ruth's babies.

Aunt Sue and Thomas are going back to Florida for the winter with the Dotys.

We came on back by Papa’s and Mother’s just for a few minutes-then started home at 25 of 5. We were home at a quarter of seven-desperate-tired. We ate a bite, then went to the grocery stores.

Sunday, November 17, 1940

We took Mrs. Hart and Jimmie to Sunday School with us this morning. Jimmie seemed to enjoy his class with the children. Today was his fifth birthday and he got feted. After class when Mrs. Hart and I went for them, Jimmie told her that he would see her next Sunday.

When we got back the children played over at the Hart's a while with the fort the children gave Jimmy for his birthday.

Clyda was here.

The Roberts came by a while this afternoon. Jean didn't come in, and Betsy and Martha only for a moment.

We haven't been out this afternoon. Jane isn't in the best condition. Her bad boil on the side of her leg is healing now, but she had another small one which I had to open tonight. She also has a cough.

Monday, November 18, 1940

Weather much warmer. Jane seems to have a touch of asthma, so I have given her three doses of syrup of ephedrine today and have kept her in the house and quiet, although not in bed. Maria came over and played with them this morning.

David later went out and played a while.

I have finished my kitchen curtains today.

John brought home some of this little star-shaped macaroni tonight and both children have been stringing it. Jane has made herself a necklace, and David made himself a bracelet.

Tuesday, November 19, 1940

96 It was so much warmer today that I let Jane sit outside in the little rocking chair, Maria and David on their tricycles. They all-Carl, Suzy, Ann Tritt, clustered around Jane and had a happy time together.

I had to go to town this afternoon to get my Stayform.

Jane has finished a second necklace-a long one.

Wednesday, November 20, 1940

This has been a busy day. Clyda and I finished the ironing and got all the windows in the house washed inside and out.

Maria came over again. The children were inside. Finally David went out, and then, in order to get Maria outside a while (her mother wanted her out) I let Jane sit in the rocker on the walk again.

Jane is working on her third necklace. David finished a double bracelet and started another set which he may not finish as he isn't working on it now.

Jane is practicing writing in a long hand, having heard that Margaret Fife is writing in script. She has also recently sewed up long runners in some of my old stockings as well as I could have done.

Thursday, November 21, 1940

Kentucky joined most of the nation today in celebrating Thanksgiving on this new date. Jane was disappointed that we didn't have turkey or chicken here at home. John did stay home from school though, and although he worked hard on the yard this morning, we had a long restful, relaxed afternoon and evening together-the four of us. The children heard Bill’s Christmas party on the air at 5:30.

Jane played grocery store tonight, I being her customer.

David played parade, having bears in his parade for whom he personally cooked more porridge.

Friday, November 22, 1940

The children and I went with John this morning to the barbershop-then back by Steiden's and the drugstore (to get film). I made one picture of them as we came home. They then went over to play with the Vanderhaars.

97 I sold my old for coat to a man who came by for $2.50.

We all took naps this afternoon. At 4:30 John came for us, we went over for Betsy and Martha, and drove to town to see the Christmas parade. We stood in front of Columbia Auditorium to view it-a good place, not crowded. What there was of it was good but it wasn't a long parade. It seems that the enormous grotesque balloon figures which were supposed to be in it failed to arrive. There were several bands, some floats from the Cole Brothers Circus which is making its winter quarters at the State Fairgrounds (including the Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe, Mother Goose and three camels preceded by Arab wise men).

There were also a number of clowns and funny people with huge painted heads-Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and others. The children liked it all. Martha said that the drums made her tummy hurt.

Saturday, November 23, 1940

The day has been drizzly and the children have been in all day. This morning I shellacked the red breakfast table and chairs. We got along all right except that David finally got up on a wet one (chair) on his knees in his coveralls.

This afternoon John took me to Dr. Morse's-and back by Lubber's for wheat-then by the Haymarket for a half bushel of apples. It was dark before we got home and miserable, dangerous, foggy driving-tonight John got off of Hess Lane and had to be pulled back on as we came from the grocery store.

Sunday, November 24, 1940

In our characteristic way we rushed off to S.S. I invited Betsy to meet us at church and visit my class with me, so she did so. I was surprised to see Mrs. Hart and Jimmie there again.

After naps this afternoon, John at 4:30 took the children down on Fourth Street to see the shop windows. They parked the car on Guthrie Street and saw the manger scene in Lincoln Park, then walked as far as Sutcliffe's and back. They were full of what they had seen when they came back. They fairly bubbled over in their eagerness to tell me.

Jimmie Curry is at the Jewish Hospital with pneumonia. They took him yesterday. We stopped by the hospital after S.S. and talked to his mother. He is no worse than he was yesterday and they are treating him with one of the new sulfa drugs. He had what seemed a light attack of asthma on Friday, but not alarming.

Monday, November 25, 1940

98 Jimmie is much better and we are so happy about it. Lena stopped here this afternoon to walk home with Clyda, and Jane told her that her boyfriend was in the hospital with pneumonia.

I let Jane go to nursery school this morning. She rode over with Mrs. Martersteck and back with her too.

David did pretty well. He cried at first when he found that he couldn't go, but Maria and Ann came over to play with him and he was all right. Later Carl and Suzy played with them, too.

We all took naps this afternoon. I had some headache from my painting.

Tuesday, November 26, 1940

Jimmie is so much better than he is going home tomorrow. We had a drizzling rain last night and all today except for some clearing a little while this afternoon. The children were in and played well together all day. I let them go outside this afternoon, thinking that I would finish a roll of film of them while the sun was out. Before I could get the paint off my hands and get out there, Mrs. Hart called me to tell me that David was wading through the puddles. I called him in and his shoes and coveralls were soaked, so I gave him a real switching.

By that time the sun was in, and we didn't get the pictures. By that time Jane must have been in the damp air too long for tonight she isn't feeling well again, and I am worried about her-and feel responsible for letting her go out.

Wednesday, November 27, 1940

Jane wasn't so restless the latter part of the night as she was the first part, but this morning she didn't have a good color, and when I asked her if she wanted to go to nursery school today or tomorrow she voted for tomorrow. Since she always begs to go, I took this as a good indication that she didn't feel like going.

I went down to the Red Cross with Mrs. Bowen, Mrs. Kennedy and Claudine. When I got back at noon , David had been over to Vanderhaar's and Mrs. Vanderhaar had sent Jane some frozen fruit salad.

I painted this afternoon after my nap. Jane is able to put David's shoes on him when I have my hands in paint.

Thursday, November 28, 1940

Jane went back to nursery school today-made a beautiful Santa Claus on a black background for herself and one for David. Mrs. Lovell had drawn the Santas and chimneys. Jane cut them out and colored them.

99

David had Maria over to play with him. They were in the basement with me.

When Jane came home she said that Jerry Moore was there. Jerry is only two. Of his own accord David said "She's little like me-she shouldn't have gone". He has been considerably upset because Mrs. Lovell isn't having the younger group now, and he can't go. I don't know how Jerry happened to get to go.

I was painting in this afternoon and trying to keep the children off the back porch, as it was cold out there. Jane asked me if they could play barber. I said "yes"-not thinking. They went off in their room and closed the door. Later, when they came out, Clyda and I discovered that Jane had really cut David's hair- zig-zagging his bangs across his forehead, and cutting a hunk out of the back.

Friday, November 29, 1940

I had planned to sew for the Red Cross today (this a.m.), but didn't go, having had quite a headache last night, and having Jane's skirt lying on the machine these many days to be finished (a pleated skirt). So I sewed this morning.

This afternoon at two I went with Mrs. Kelly to Mrs.Homberger's to a luncheon committee meeting. We went out with her husband-came back with the Straws. The children were in bed for their naps when she came, and had to speak to Mrs. Kelly.

Jane is catching on to spelling so quickly these days that I have pull up short and about-face sometimes.

Looking at the new Life (ed.-magazine) with them tonight I started blithely to read an ad to them in which a small boy says in big letters "Phooey! Don't tell me there is no Santa Claus". I saw too late-after I'd started reading-what questions that might bring up, so I hurriedly switched and read "Phooey! Don't talk to me about Christmas". Then Jane asked "What does that ‘no’ mean"-then I had to say-- "don't say there's no Christmas" or some such-- lots of close shaves like that!

Saturday, November 30, 1940

I painted two more chairs this morning-and decided this afternoon to put the last coat in a darker shade. I had all but the table and one chair finished. Now I have to do three chairs over.

The afternoon was drizzly, but because Clyda had said that Santa Claus was coming to Bowman Field at three, and since we wanted to go on Bardstown Road to see about Jane’s shoes we went out there. There was an immense crowd of course but they saw him. Jane whispered to me "He isn't the real Santa, is he?"-and I had to admit that he wasn't.

100 We went on to Ermann's to get her shoes. After we got there I became undecided, because the shoes that he sold us-white oxford, $3.50-were 12A and he said that her strap slippers she had been wearing were long enough, so I felt sure that the 11 ½ A white shoes left over from last winter would be long enough. However when I had tried them on her some time back she had complained that they hurt, and when I got them home and compared them they did seem shorter than her strap slippers. We bought them each new galoshes at one dollar a pair-- brown ones-- Jane's size 13, David's 9.

John and I went to Dr. and Mrs. Loewner's for dinner this evening. The Kulaks were also there. The Loewners have their own furniture, books, silver, china and so on from Europe-really exquisite things. Our food was delicious also-prepared in true Czecho-Slovakian fashion.

Of course the discussion was mostly political as the Loewners' interest can be with nothing so much as their families back in Europe.

Sunday, December 1, 1940

Clyda stayed all night last night. At breakfast she made some mention to Mrs. Watts-whom David had mentioned last night. I ask if he remembered the little girl Judy, and he said that he did. I then inquired "What was a little boy's name?" None of us could remember and then David spoke up and said "His name was Shane" and Clyda said, "So it was"-and we were all very pleased and amazed that David remembered when we didn't, and he flushed with pride.

He was also glad that he got his jersey striped shirt on unassisted this morning.

Mildred Hale and Helen Nix visited my S.S. class this morning.

David's S.S. teacher said that she had a tooth taken out yesterday and David wanted to get a flashlight and screwdriver to investigate it.

I had invited Bobbie Green out for dinner, so we went by the fraternity house after S.S. to pick him up. The children were much pleased to have him. Jane had told several at S.S. that he was coming.

We have been at home all afternoon.

Carol was over a little while.

Monday, December 2, 1940

I had very sad news from Mother this afternoon. Cousin Willie Kate's husband, Edgar Prather, was entombed by a mine explosion at Cadiz, Ohio last Friday afternoon. When Mother wrote yesterday they had not yet reached the bodies, but this morning's paper said that the bodies had been recovered-dead. This is a frightful thing to happen.

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Jane went to nursery school and came home with a lovely Christmas tree that she had made-and the materials to make another for David. The latter she finished late this afternoon.

David started the morning out by playing with Maria, but later was with Carl. I looked out to see them both in the street, with David’s drum--so made him come in.

I have at last finished my painting today. It was a trying ordeal.

Tuesday, December 3, 1940

The children didn't play out today. I played with them awhile this morning, Jane wearing an old red hat of mine and selling me things.

Later I went to town-bought Jane a parka and David a brown corduroy helmet shaped cap to wear with Jane's old brown snow suit.

Wednesday, December 4, 1940

I have a boil on my cheek.

Jane went to nursery school and Margaret came home with her for lunch and to spend the afternoon. None of the children took naps, but Jane and Margaret rested on Jane's bed, and David rested on his.

Claudine came for Margaret between four and five. The children got along nicely, although when Jane has a little girl to play with, the two of them sometimes pair off, leaving David out to a certain extent and hurting his feelings.

Thursday, December 5, 1940

Looking at a small Sears Roebuck sales catalog this morning David recognized in it the picture of their big sales catalog and their toy catalog. There is something else which he has noticed lately that I can't remember right now which showed particular observation.

Jane is doing unusually well on learning work now-with no prodding or particular help from us. If I am reading a story which has some repetition in it-like “Stop, stop!” or some such -- she asked me to show it to her, and learns it herself. She is now getting on to the fact that words are spelled something like they sound and vice versa. She can recognize certain common words whenever she sees them and such things as John, Mrs., etc.

I went to town this morning-and after some consideration got a brown jacket dress at Besten’s which I like very much.

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Betsy and Martha were here a while this afternoon. Martha feels so much older than David that it is funny. She said that she and Jane were the oldest ones here. The day of the parade she said that she wouldn't hold a three-year old’s hand, which David couldn't understand. Martha was so thrilled this afternoon to string macaroni-said that she was so fond of that.

Mrs. Dougherty and Sallie Ann also came. That is a sad situation. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty are separated. Jane cannot understand why Sallie Ann is not living with her daddy anymore. That is the sort of thing so hard to explain to youngsters.

Friday, December 6, 1940

Last night I cut up celery for chicken salad, as I was on the luncheon committee of the University Women's Club. I had to be there at 10 and didn't get away until after the book club, when I went out to Dr. Morse's, so Clyda had complete charge all day.

Jane has made Christmas trees at Mrs.Lovell’s this week. She went only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Saturday, December 7, 1940

This boil a mine seems to be getting nowhere near an end.

I had the children in bed for naps this afternoon when Ann Couey called and said that she and her husband wanted to take them out to the Seminary with them. Well, we got them up and dressed them. We told David if he said anything he shouldn't, he wouldn't get to go again.

While they were gone John and I went to the grocery store, and then made a flying trip to town. I bought Jane a blouse and saw about my gloves at Besten's.

We got home shortly after four. The children had been here since about three, Clyda is said. We took Clyda home and drove by Ermann's Bootery to check the length of Jane's old shoes. They were too short, so she came home and Jane put her new shoes on in great glee.

Hot compresses for me!

Sunday, December 8, 1940

I was awake before six, my face throbbing, but we didn't get up-overslept again- 7:45 when up. Rush--boil had to be opened (but John could get only part of the core out). I pressed Jane's skirt. We got off to S.S. by the hardest, me wearing a bandage (I there in

103 time to hear Love Gift program)—stayed for church, Dr. Dillard talking instead of Dr. Gibson.

We came on back to Walgreens for dinner and have been at home all afternoon, me using hot compresses.

Monday, December 9, 1940

Not such a good day. To begin with, Mrs. Lovell didn't have nursery school because her maid was sick and both John and Eleanor.

So, Jane and David played together, doing considerable wrangling.

I helped Clyda sort the clothes but didn't wash any. My boil was bad, so John came home at 2:30, I took the car and went to Dr. Morse's. He thought my boil much worse than Friday-- had spread some. He said that infection on the face was more dangerous than it would be elsewhere. He got some infection out, but the core wasn't ready to come out. I am to continue the hot compresses. He put some phenol at the base of it to help it along.

Tuesday, December 10, 1940

Jane had asthma this morning, after a rather restless night, and I didn't let her go to nursery school. She has been on the davenport all day.

This afternoon David has been out with Maria, over at her house. He came back talking about the Vanderhaar baby, surprised that it was a boy and yet wearing a dress.

My boil is draining constantly now.

I had mentioned to Mrs. Hart that Jane wanted Santa to bring her a sewing machine, so tonight she came over bringing one of Patty’s which she never uses.

Wednesday, December 11, 1940

Jane has been in bed today. I talked to doctor Andrews this afternoon and he said to use a croup kettle for her with benzoin in it, so John bought a hot plate today and we rigged it up.

I went to the Speed School dinner (wives at Courtlandt), then on to Ayer's, because I was supposed to review "Europe in the Spring" again. I had to wear a bandage on my face.

When I called Clyda to see about Jane, she said that she was restless-- had hardly slept-- had complained of feeling cold-- her teeth chattering--so I came on home in the car.

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Thursday, December 12, 1940

Jane didn't sleep much last night and finally vomited after drinking water. She hasn't run more than a degree of fever and says that nothing hurts her except her chest when she coughs, but she didn't eat anything from yesterday morning at breakfast until today at lunch when she ate a little Jell-O and drank some custard. She has been drinking orange juice all the time. This afternoon she didn't even sleep long in spite of being awake so long last night.

Martha Roberts is sick also.

Friday, December 13, 1940

The book club met with me, but I had only five, as Gladys couldn't come because of a sinus infection and Betsy couldn't come because so worried about Martha. She had the doctor with Martha yesterday and she has the flu.

I kept Jane in bed again today, but she had a better night last night, and her cough seems looser. Still however she wants no solid foods.

David is hoarse and has developed a croupy cough.

Saturday, December 14, 1940

Jane was better this morning and I let her progress to the living room (davenport). David's nose was running, and I kept him on the davenport. Whether he is on his way to bed (as Jane was for several days) or not, I don't know.

I went to town for a while, meeting John at one. The streets were jammed.-and the stores of course.

Jane has been endeavoring to sew on the little machine of Patty's that Mrs. Hart sent over but we can make it do no good.

Sunday, December 15, 1940

John and I went to S.S., but didn't take the children, as David didn't seem to be quite over his cold, and we didn't think that, Jane had enough resistance to risk going. A wave of influenza epidemics are sweeping the country.

105 We have stayed in all afternoon and evening, with the exception of John, who went over to school a while tonight while I worked on Christmas cards, even though it was raining.

Monday, December 16, 1940

Jane went back to the nursery school. I let down her brown dress and talked to David while Clyda washed.

This afternoon I went out to Dr. Morse's by streetcar-- a procedure I hope I'll never follow again-- as I made miserable connections, and it was quite cold.

The children listen to Bill's Santa Claus program each evening at five.

Tuesday, December 17, 1940

Jane was supposed to go with Mrs. Hart out to Prestonia School this morning to see a Christmas program, but Jimmie had a cold and they couldn't go. John didn't much want her to go anyhow because of flu, so perhaps it was just as well.

I was in town practically all day, buying gifts for Mary Lou, Bobby, Jerry and Johnnie.

Wednesday, December 18, 1940

Jane awakened this morning crying with earache. Of course I kept her in bed-- called Mrs. Lovell and told her that she couldn't come to nursery school. I gave her aspirin. Mrs. Lovell brought by some Oralgan ear drops which they had used for John. This afternoon Jane's temperature went to 102 4/5. John talked to doctor Andrews and he asked that we send a urine specimen of Jane's for examination tomorrow morning-- this because Jane complained so of hurting in her back over her kidneys. She had no temperature this morning, and I let her sit up in bed and cut out pictures until she complained of her back hurting.

Thursday, December 19, 1940

Jane's temperature went to 103 today. A urine specimen didn't show much albumin. In fact, she hasn't complained today of her back but her ear is exceedingly painful. Dr. Andrews came out after office hours. He said that she had evidently had the flu-- the tissues were weakened--and this secondary infection in her ear had started up. He said that no wonder her ear pained her-that it was in bad condition. He is starting her on sulfa-thiazol of five times a day-- continuing the Oralgan ear drops. By the time we got the sulfa-thiazol tablets tonight Jane had only one, as she went to sleep. She feels pretty bad-- says that it hurts her head when she sits up.

My throat is scratchy tonight.

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Friday, December 20, 1940

I think that I am taking a touch of flu myself-- have been lying down most of today.

Jane's temperature went to 102 again this afternoon, but doctor Andrews said that wasn't surprising-in fact, that it was the expected course-that the sulfa-thiazol doesn't bring the temperature down until the second day. Her ear has been so tender that it even hurts to put the medicine dropper against it.

So far David has taken no colds other than the head cold that he at last week.

Saturday, December 21, 1940

Along about two o'clock last night I developed a chill (I was sleeping on the davenport, and David was sleeping on our bed with his daddy-- we have been trying to keep him out of Jane's room as much as possible-- and now we are trying to keep him away from me-- and then some fever-- plenty of flu aching.

John talked to Dr. Morse and he came over to see me today-this morning. I am taking powders and using nose drops, having to stay in bed-just when there is so much to do for Jane.

Her temperature has been sub-normal all today and she seems to feel pretty good.

Sunday, December 22, 1940

Clyda wasn't supposed to work today, but volunteered to do so-came in time to cook breakfast.

David and his daddy went to S.S. The latter came back with Christmas gifts-- for Jane a little notebook, a top, and a box of candy, for himself a Popeye nailing set and a box of candy, for me from somebody there-a little note book like Jane's. He was thrilled. The Beginners Department has been moved upstairs into one half of the Primary Department room.

Jane's appetite is returning. She is taking her last sulfa-thiazol today. I am feeling better this afternoon although I had another minor chill last night but a sweat this morning seemed to break my fever.

David was over at the Vanderhaar's this afternoon and they sent Christmas gifts from Margie and Maria over to him and Jane. They were handkerchief dolls.

John bought a Christmas tree at Bickel's tonight, but it is in the basement yet. We [haven’t] put our wreath up yet.

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Monday, December 23, 1940

John started a slight coughing and throat clearing last night. I have tried to be up some today, but have an active distaste for food, and can't even lift a pen without exhaustion. This is the last day that Jane has to stay in bed. Clyda is very busy taking meals to Jane, looking after me, having the complete responsibility for everything.

John went to school today. Tonight when he came home he was waiting on me and I asked him what his temperature was and it was over 100. So he came to bed. Clyda had to go home and tonight when the boy came from the drugstore to deliver a prescription from the drugstore, David was the only one able to answer the door, John being on the davenport, me in bed and Jane in bed.

The children had gifts in the mail from Isla which they have tried hard to keep from opening at my insistence, but David's curiosity is immense and after much shaking of packages they opened them. Jane's was a doll's sewing set, David's a small train.

When the mail comes -- we have about three a day now -- Jane asks for the cards first, looks at them, then sends them to me by David in groups as she reads them.

Tuesday, December 24, 1940

Such a Christmas! We got the tree up late today and the children and I decorated it, but John is sick and so am I.. His temperature went to 102 tonight. I have no fever.

Jean brought the children some gifts from Martha this afternoon. I wouldn't let them open them. Later the Fifes came by (I was lying down on the davenport having finished the tree and John was in bed) bringing gifts from Margaret. The mails today brought a great many more cards. We seem to get more each year. This time we sent pictures of the children pasted on. I had 50 printed cards, and use in addition about forty more that I made or bought. Next year I think I shall just order 100 cards and don't think that I shall try to send the children's pictures.

The children finally opened their gifts from Martha Roberts and Margaret today and they had opened what Clyda brought them today. The latter gave David a holster and pistol, Jane a box of 3-D jigsaw puzzles. From Margaret they got two handkerchiefs, David got a rubber racer, and Jane a box of stationary. From Martha David got a Pinocchio book, Jane a box of watercolors.

Wednesday, December 25, 1940

It was certainly hard to play Santa last night. John had a temperature of 102 early in the evening, and although I had no fever I felt miserable. I didn't want the children disappointed though and was afraid after I went to bed that if I let myself go to sleep I might not awaken before them this morning. Of course when I got up John finally did,

108 too, his fever having gone down some in the meantime. We certainly didn't get the same pleasure that we would have though if we had been feeling normal.

I was up again later on in the night scene to the various members. The children were up at five after seven. Santa had left for Jane in her stocking a doll-a little girl type of doll, with a pretty silk dress on -- this in addition to candy. In David's stocking were two oranges (David asked, why did Santa bring him oranges - to put them in the refrigerator), the cars to his ferryboat.

On the hearth were David's ferryboat, his filling station, and of course on the rug his train that runs on a track. He also got an animal book. Jane got a piano, her sink that holds water and a grocery store-also a book-Children on the Map.

We also opened Lorena's box. In it were dish towels for me, socks for the children, a big piece of fruitcake.

Mother had called Monday night and talked to John, but had failed to understand that he was sick, too. She said that she was going to send our dinner by the Curtis who were coming to Louisville, so Holly and Francis Beverly called about it last night. Since there was nobody here to go for the box I called Cousin Inez and Uta Cobb brought it by just before noon. It was just like having Santa come. In it were more gifts for the children-- a windup truck for David from Mary Lou and Johnnie, a big delivery truck from his granny Houchens, real rubber boots for him from his granddad-with a pair of socks in one toe and candy and chewing gum and the other-for Jane a new xylophone book from Mary Lou and Johnnie, two pairs of silk panties from her granny Houchens, a new white silk slip, long Red Sox and two books from Mother to her, two pairs of socks for John from Mother, a pair of fur trimmed rubber galoshes for me, and then a whole half a turkey cooked, sliced, old ham, turkey dressing and broth, fruitcake and white cake with chocolate icing, a box of nuts, candy and chewing gum. It took a long time to get the box unpacked.

Uta Cobb told me that Emma Alice has diphtheria, but is better.

The children rather contentedly played with their toys all day. Mr. Hart came over bringing a nurse set for Jane and an airplane or David, and the Summerfords came by bringing from Ana a jackstraw magnetic set and suckers; from Jimmie Curry a soldier for David, a two picture jigsaw for Jane.

I felt so miserable that John talked to the doctor and he came out to see me--had a prescription sent to me from Newman's. Thursday, December 26, 1940

In spite of all that I could do John went over to school this morning and didn't get back until around three.

109 Clyda came in for an hour or so to help us out with breakfast yesterday morning and was back today. We have pretty well spoiled her Christmas, and she doesn't feel well herself.

I sent her to deliver the Vanderhaar's children's coloring books this morning and Carl and Suzanne's presents. She came back from Williams’ with some electric scissors for Jane and an ink printing set for David.

Today I have felt more like a human being and stayed up most of the time except for a while this morning, but John came home and went to bed, his fever up again.

Betsy told me this morning that the doctor thinks she has a beginning mastoid infection.

Friday, December 27, 1940

John has stayed in bed most of the day and seems better tonight. The children haven't yet been out. Mrs. Hart and Jimmy talked to us at the front window today and Jane played "silent night" on her piano for Mrs. Hart. The latter was mildly amazed, but Jane's pianoh as numbers on the keys, and I have numbered the music of songs in several little books for her, and she can pick them out with one finger.

They stay pretty well contented-- the children do, having their new toys. Today I looked at all the Christmas cards with them again. This evening David employed himself by screwing out and in the Christmas tree lights.

Dr. Wolfe got the tube to Betsy's ear open this morning. Martha is still running some fever each day.

Saturday, December 28, 1940

The weather is still mild and rainy-flu weather, I suppose. Claudine Fife is in bed with flu now, and Ann Couey called tonight to say that she thinks Mr. Couey has it. The papers say the epidemic is spreading.

John went over to school this morning, with not too much rise in temperature this afternoon as a result.

The children and I went up to Steiden's this afternoon-- the first time we have been out. I didn't let them go in the grocery store.

Sunday, December 29, 1940

We have awakened very late these last three mornings. This morning in spite of the late start and a drizzle, John and the children went to S.S.-we finally deciding that the latter needed to get out. I had a sore throat and didn't go.

110

When they got home and David went over to the Hart’s to play with Jimmie a while, and after I finished reading the funnies to Jane. She also went and stayed until dinner.

We have been in the remainder of the day, the children and I taking naps. Jane has been playing with her grocery store this afternoon, with John’s and my help. They look at the Christmas cards over and over, and even David can put them back in the envelopes and knows which ones are from Bob and Evelyn Chambers, and so on.

Monday, December 30, 1940

Both the Fifes are in bed with the flu, Mr. Curry is in bed with it, and Mrs. Martersteck told me this morning when she called to invite Jane to Carol's birthday party Saturday that she and her husband have had flu.

The children and I have been in all day. If they are all right tomorrow I think I shall let them go over to Vanderhaasr's a while.

Tuesday, December 31, 1940

I called Mrs.Vanderhaar this morning and told her that I was going to let David and Jane come over for a while. I sent them at ten, not wrapping them to the extent of gloves or galoshes as I thought they would all be in the house. Jane even wore a hat instead of a parka as I had washed her white parka. At 10:15 and I looked out and they were playing outside, running. I called them to come home, put Jane's old parka on her and galoshes and gloves on both of them. I told them that they could stay only until 10:30 if they were going to be outside. At 10:30, I sent Clyda for them. She came back alone, saying they had gone inside and that Mrs.Vanderhaar wanted them to stay a while, promising them a tea party. When they came home, they said they had drunk real tea.

I have ironed shirts today-the first in some weeks, as John has been taking them to the laundry.

Wednesday, January 1, 1941

Jane was awake a great deal last night, sneezing one sneeze after another, wanting Kleenex, drinks of water, to go to the toilet, and so on. I finally gave her aspirin at five a.m., and have kept her in bed all day, although she has had no temperature.

David has played outside with the Vanderhaars, Ann Tritt and Carol this morning. Tonight (before her suppertime), Jimmie and Mary Sublett came. Afterwards David complained of his head hurting, and has been restless since he went to bed. I gave them both aspirin.

Thursday, January 2, 1941

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David had a rather hot, feverish night, and I had kept him in bed today. I went to the supermarket this morning, taking John over to school first. Tonight we had Dee Myatt and his wife of Florence, Alabama for dinner. David had to be kept isolated to his dissatisfaction. Mr. Myatt went to the door and spoke to him. He set up such a clamor to see Mrs. Myatt though, that I finally had her go on the porch and see him through the window, his daddy carrying him to the window. He seems to feel better tonight.

Friday, January 3, 1941

David hasn't been dressed today, but might as well have been, as he has been up a great deal late this evening. At that he has had temperature a little over 99 today-just enough to make us think he isn't all right yet.

I went over to Mrs. Vanderhaar's this morning and Brother called while I was there, having called first and talked to Jane.

My glasses broke and I went to town this afternoon to have them soldered.

This morning David had to have an enema.

Saturday, January 4, 1941

David had no temperature today-has been dressed. I invited all three Vanderhaar children over to a tea party this afternoon and they came all dressed up -- the children (girls) in sweet little velvet dresses. After they left, before I had the living room straightened, Ann Couey called to say that they were coming by for a little while. I scurried around picking up, but didn't get things finished when they arrived. Ann brought Jane some adorable doll furniture which she had made-a dressing table and stool, ruffled in organdy-a chair and ottoman-really attractive. David they brought book and me a glass of jelly. He was impressed that even I got something. Jane thanked them but David wouldn't, although he liked his book and was begging every body to read it to him.

Martha had her tonsils removed yesterday. It came as a complete surprise to us when we found out last night as we had thought they were going to wait until the end of the month. We stopped by Norton's to see her, Betsy and Jean this morning. She looked pale, and had had a very bad night Betsy said, but didn't appear to have lost weight during these recent weeks when she had been running some fever daily. She looked very sweet, with her hair up in two little braids with blue bows. Jane and David sent her a coloring book which they had meant to give her for Christmas, along with the Krazy Ikes.

I went to Dr. Morse and he said that I needn't come back.

Sunday, January 5, 1940

112

We all went to S.S. Jane had asked me to visit her department, and as I had never stayed in with her and she has been in Miss Nettie's Department I stayed in there the entire time. They sang a song to me, Jane and David coming over and standing by me. They seem to get such a thrill out of it that I could scarcely keep tears from coming to my eyes.

Jane very carefully followed all instructions about singing, holding her hands so, bowing her head and so on-but David sat through the various performances without participating. However, he was quick to speak up whether questioned or not. Little Pauline Hayes was up in front telling about her recent trip to Florida and her playing in the waves. David spoke up out of turn and said that he had been to Massachusetts. Of course everybody laughed. I enjoyed being in there.

When we came home I took the children over to Williams', as they wanted to see their Christmas tree, and they were taking it down. They stayed until twelve.

Tonight I went to take an article which I have written to Freda Fronabarger, going first to buy gas and then by Walgreens'. John's cough is bothering him and I didn't want him out as it is cold tonight-very cold.

Monday, January 6, 1941

We have been in all day. Jane and John threw the Christmas tree out last night. Today I have given to catching up on some things-one being typing an article about David's flood-time birth which I hope to send to "We the People". Jane begs so hard to type that I let her after I had finished a certain part and now the typewriter is out of adjustment again.

Tuesday, January 7, 1941

The sun was out this morning and the children played outside from ten until almost noon. At first they could find nobody to play with and were in the Harts’ house with their wraps off before we knew it. I sent Clyda over to bring them out. Ann shortly came out, then Jimmie, Carl and Suzy, so they were all right then. When they finally came in just before twelve, Carl, Suzy and Jimmie all came with them. The three hadn’t been in to see the train or other toys, and were very much thrilled. They shed their wraps in the middle of the living room floor (we still had the major portion of the Christmas toys in the living room) and had a big time. Mr. Schroeder came for Carl and Suzy at twelve and had a difficult time getting them to go home.

Jimmie stayed for lunch. He was completely enthralled by the train, although they have several trains over at their house.

I worked at putting away Christmas things this afternoon.

113 David broke the handle off his Bo-Peep mug (milk) at noon.

He is still taking his tiptoe exercises, but I can't see that he is making any appreciable gain.

John registered defense students last night and again tonight.

Wednesday, January 8, 1941

The children were out several hours again this morning and came in with such rosy cheeks. We laughingly called Jane "Iron Pants Yokum" (from the cartoon "Lil Abner") because she was wearing her new ski pants-size 8-which I had ordered from Sears Roebuck long before she was ill. They really are enormous on her, but her leggings are too tight for effective playing.

I slept all afternoon, as did the children.

Tonight I went with the Speed wives to French Village, then to Mrs. Loewner's.

Thursday, January 9, 1941

Maria worked jigsaws with Jane a while this morning. David was outside with Carl. After Maria went outside both children were out until noon.

This afternoon Clyda was off. I had promised the children to take them for a walk. It developed that both the Vanderhaar girls, Carl and Suzy went with us making a total of six children that I had to watch. We went down past the Corley’s. It was rather stiffly cold. When we came back Margie and Maria came in and stayed until 5:30, working jigsaws.

Friday, January 10, 1941

I went to the University with John this morning-- sewed from nine to 11:45-- then had lunch at the club-a movie "Know Your Money" at the Playhouse and then back to hear Mrs. Hall's review of Sigrid Undset’s book, Madame Dorthea. (ed.- Madame Dorothea (1939) is a historical novel; Sigrid Undset (1882-1949) was forced by the Second World War and the Nazi invasion to leave her native Norway)

When I got home at 3:30 the children were outside. They came in to hear the Honeykrust "Once Upon a Time" program of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" at 4:45. Last week they had heard "Jack and the Beanstalk".

Jane has a new zest for recognizing words, telephone numbers and exchanges, and so on.

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Last night I was reading to the children about some little French children. David asked if the book were printed before the war came there. I think the reason was that a week or so ago when I was reading to them about Wilhelmina, a little Dutch girl, I explained to them that the war is now where Wilhelmina lives, but wasn't when the book was printed.

Saturday, January 11, 1941

Today's highlight-Carol had her birthday party today-delayed from last Saturday. Carol was five. Jane wore her rose dress and took Carol a box of seven coloring books. David wasn't invited-nor any boys in fact. It was strictly a girls’ party. He was rather upset for a time but resigned himself. Even John and I deserted for the afternoon going in town to see Ginger Rogers in "Kitty Foyle". When we got home Jane greeted us with the announcement that she had won a prize and sure enough she had a cute electric lamp which she had won by carrying the most little flat macaronis across the room on a knife. She had carried 36 and dropped only two.

She had brought David ice cream and cake-- at least they had sent it to him.

Sunday, January 12, 1941

This has been a pretty Sunday-and a full one. I was sorry that we hadn't planned to go to Owenton, since it was pretty.

We went to S.S. The children wanted to stay for church so we did so. Clyda was here at home. After dinner we didn't put the children to bed and started out (not telling them before we left where we were going) to the State Fairgrounds to the Cole Brothers Circus winter headquarters. They were thrilled, of course.

There were baby leopards, a chimpanzee, lions, tigers, a hippopotamus (which Jane didn't like a bit), about 10 elephants, I suppose (one a huge one), camels, zebras and of course monkeys, ponies and so on. I think that they liked the elephants-especially seeing them fed peanuts in their trunks which they transferred to their mouths. A couple of them even obligingly held their mouths open for folks to throw peanuts direct in their mouths.

The chimpanzees took a cigar out of one of the attendant’s pockets, took the cellophane off it and mulled it over.

While we were in the building the Harts came. As we went out the ticket seller called the children back and asked them if they were taking any of their elephants out

115 under their coats. Jane very seriously shook her head that she was not. David said nothing.

We watched the men playing the calliope-- then walked over to the barn where they had their horses. They had some zebras there which an attendant said that they were endeavoring to break to pull chariots.

From the Fairgrounds we went by the Fenwick’s, (smelling though we did like a stable, John thought) but they weren't at home. We then called on the Straws, but they also were away. So, we went to see Mrs. Callahan, whom we hadn't seen since Jane was a baby. Dodo had died last July and she has a Pekingese now, which we distrusted as she says that he snaps at children. We came home, ate a bite, and then, as Jane wanted Patty to come over, we called her, and she stayed until eight o'clock, she and Jane playing the toy piano mostly.

Monday, January 13, 1941

This was of course laundry day. Mrs.Vanderhaar called this morning and wanted the children to play over there with Maria. The sun was out, but there was some wind. David played part of the time with Carl and Jimmie.

I went to town this afternoon thinking to see the exhibit of children's clothes (Saks Fifth Avenue) at the Brown hotel. I got on the elevator-discovered that the exhibit is Monday, January 20, instead of Monday, January 13.

I bought some children's books for birthdays.

The Lovells had asked us to go with them to hear Ruth Bryan Owen Rohde lecture at Columbia Auditorium. Since Clyda couldn't stay, I had Doris Bierbaum. John had to go over to register students at 6:45, but the Lovells came by for me and we went by the University for him. I had the children's pajamas on them and their beds fixed when I left-- they had both napped-- so Doris had only to put them in bed.

David was always saying when he gets a small scratch or cut that it is going to get "confected". I'd like to have a record made of his voice while he is still saying Dranny (Granny), tream (cream), wast (last), etc. Mother is always concerned over his fingernails, which he has kept bitten into the quick too much of the time. She wrote not long since that she had hoped they would be grown out by the time we get to come home. Strange to say, he has let them grow out within the last few weeks and is about to go from one extreme to another in that he won't let me trim them, so proud of them is the, and they are about to get out of hand.

Tuesday, January 14, 1941

This is John's birthday, not much celebrated had not Margie's and his birthday happened to fall on the same day.

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The children didn't play out this morning. David built a grocery store in the living room window which was in reality more of a 10 cent store, Jane said, since his stock consisted of such things as a silver baby spoon, scissors, a toy soldier, and so on.

Jane has been ironing her slips on her ironing board as we ironed.

Mrs. Vanderhaar kindly asked us over there for dessert at six, so we went over and had a lovely birthday cake and ice cream and mints-quite a party. Unfortunately John had to leave in time to be over at school by seven but the children and I stayed until a quarter of eight. They took Margie a book and a box of two jigsaw puzzles.

David calls the truck which his Granny Houchens gave him for Christmas his "deliberty truck".

Wednesday, January 15, 1941

The children had been in all day. Clyda was off, I took a nap and the children didn't. Tonight I talked to Dr. Simpson and received such disconcerting news about Papa that I can think of nothing else.

Thursday, January 16, 1941

Jane said yesterday something about marrying Jimmie Curry. When I asked her if he had said anything about marrying her she said, no, and that when she mentioned it he frowned. She finally said, if Jimmie Curry didn't marry her, then she would marry Jimmie Hart, that he had asked her.

We have been at home all day. The children went over to the Vanderhaars' a while this afternoon, although it developed that they shouldn't have, as they had company.

Friday, January 17, 1941

I sewed over at the University this morning.

This afternoon Mrs. Weir brought Jimmie Curry and left him for a while. The children got along all right, except that David was very cry-babyish about his toys. Jane in the basement asked Jimmie if he were going to marry her and he said yes. She told him that they wouldn't have any children, that she didn't like them. Later Jimmie was ironing and Jane told him that men didn't iron. He replied that all men didn't marry and that then they had to do their own ironing.

Jimmie was more given to brandishing guns and running in cowboy fashion. Jane wanted to play grocery and was upset when he wanted to hold her up. She asked that he come in and buy like a regular person.

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Saturday, January 18, 1941

We have had a small light wet snow today and colder weather. I went to town this morning, bought gloves for Papa and did some other shopping. Home at three. John and I grocery shopped. The children played outside a while this morning.

Sunday, January 19, 1941

I did as many things as I could last night in preparation for getting off to S.S. this morning, as Clyda was not here.

David wore the suit I bought him at Bacon’s yesterday, calling it his birthday suit. He started announcing as soon as he got in the door of his department that he had a new suit on. Miss Nettie remarked after S.S. that Mrs. Stewart said that the Houchens would have to be careful what they did and said, as David tells everything we have done and all that we expect to do. John Barriger (Superintendent) had been in this morning and David at some point in the program had spoken up to say that he went to Massachusetts and took his little blue bathing suit.

We were at home all afternoon. Tonight John and I went with the Roberts to the Fenwicks for dinner and had a very excellent dinner. Doris stayed with the children, as Clyda couldn't stay.

Monday, January 20, 1941

We were busy this morning, for the children and I were to leave on the bus at 2:30. John came out for lunch and took us to the station. The children were pleased with the big Greyhound bus. Jane rode in the seat behind me with a woman who talked with her. David was all right except that he one time told her that he was coming back there and smack her in the face-terrible, terrible. We had sent two boxes to Owenton last night by Helen Nix's boyfriend.

At Frankfort we had a 20 minute wait for the Owenton bus. The children were tired on this bus (on the Frankfurt bus David had finally become sleepy and was on the verge of vomiting just before we reached Frankfort, but the wait in the bus station seemed to help him). We were due in Owenton at 5:30 and arrived on schedule. I rang the bell, but the driver carried us to Mrs.Bott's before we stopped. He brought our bags back.

Papa and Mother hadn't seen us since the bus stopped up there.

Papa doesn't feel well-coughs still, has visibly lost weight, has an impaired appetite, his legs hurt, and his hands tremble.

118 We had a delayed Christmas party after supper-giving Mother her pearls and Papa his gloves. There were boxes from Ermine for the children-a pretty satin slip for Jane, a football for David. Jane played on her little piano for Mother.

David unscrewed the knob off the top of the door chime which Paul and Ermine left here for us, and we had a time getting it back, as the little screw dropped out from underneath where my fingers wouldn't reach. I finally, at Papa’s suggestion, threaded a needle, tied it to the screw and managed to drop the needle down through the hole.

Tuesday, January 21, 1941

The day has been pretty. I went up to Dr. McBee's office the first thing to talk to him about Papa, but was able to get no information accounted entirely for Papa feeling so bad. Dr. McBee doesn't consider his condition any more alarming than that of many a man of his age.

When I returned Bobby Nixon was here to play with the children. He stayed until almost noon. They played with the train, but David was bossy. They did better when they started playing mothers and daddies. I was getting them ready this afternoon to go over to Bobby's when Cousin Inez stopped, she and Cousin Frank being in town for the day.

The children stayed at Bobby's-in the house-until their Granny Houchens, A.J., Ruth and the babies came. We enjoyed seeing the children.

After the folks left I wrapped the children up and they played over in Bobbie's yard with him and Nancy Jane. Then I took them to see Aunt Dink and Uncle Boy a while.

Wednesday, January 22, 1941

Rain today-all day. Bobbie played over here this morning. This afternoon they stayed over there from two to four-inside. I visited Aunt Dink from three to four.

Thursday, January 23, 1941

We went down to Mrs. Houchens’ today, not getting there until shortly after 11. David played with Mary Lou's assortment of bottles, boxes, tops, etc. most of the day, and even wanted to take them home with him.

Jane thought Johnnie a very cute baby, but wanted him to be a girl she said. He resembles Jane greatly when she was a baby.

Uncle Will and Aunt Jettie came by for a little while.

Tonight Jack and Alice came for a while. The latter enjoyed Jane's piano greatly.

119

Friday, January 24, 1941

Bobbie Nixon played here a while this morning. After lunch the children went uptown with Papa to mail letters from Jane and from me to her daddy. She wrote him a letter on her own stationery that Margaret gave her Christmas. She addressed the envelope too. Papa took them in some place and bought them a Coca-Cola while they were there, and brought them back as far as the corner nearest Mother’s. We were watching for them and could see Papa showing them across the street.

When they returned, before their wraps were off, Mother took them over to Cousin Myrt's for a little. I sent Betsy's "Country Lawyer" over for Cousin Hollie to see. They didn't come back when I expected them, so I ran over to Aunt Dink's and found them there conversing with Aunt Dink, Gypsy and Mrs. Cobb. I stayed for a bit after they went home.

Papa didn't feel good, but went out to the farm to get milk.

I made cookie batter this afternoon.

Saturday, January 25, 1940

This morning I baked David's birthday cake, but didn't ice it. We slept late. I have had a cold since Thursday night. Yesterday it was in my throat, today in my nose.

The children and I were beginning to cut out animal cookies after dinner when Cousin Ola came. We went ahead with one or two batches. Before we could progress much further Betty Lou Greene came wanting to take the children up to the White House, so I hurriedly dressed them, letting the cookies wait. Betty Lou was driving, although she is only 15 and has no driver’s license. She promised me that she wouldn't drive all the way uptown. Shortly after they left, Hale and Jean stopped. Then Cousin Myrt came over.

Betty Lou brought the children back before they left. She had bought them Choco-pops and they each came back with peanut candy bars and packages of chewing gum that Betty Lou had bought them, even though I had told them not to ask for more than one thing. Cousin Ola had given them each a nickel before they left, and they hadn't spent those.

Gypsy next stopped in, and then before she and Cousin Ola left John came. I could tell immediately that he wasn't feeling well. He had been half sick all week-his flu cough back. He drove Cousin Ola uptown.

Frances Orr stopped by next.

120 After she left I attempted to ice the cake. Not having my Mixmaster I had to make seven minute icing on the stove with a rotary beater and thought that it never would cook. I finally had to keep rolling it up on the cake with a knife-but finally it got hard. I made it a pale pink-this time and used green clowns on it. David naturally wanted to eat some as soon as it was finished.

We had invited Paul and Ermine to come over tomorrow afternoon. They couldn't come then because of so many helpers being off, and came tonight after eight, when I had the children in their pajamas trying to get them ready for bed. In fact, Jane and I were trying to get David's cowboy suit wrapped for him.

I was afraid they both would ruin Ermine's leopard skin hat. They liked the feel of it.

Papa had already gone to bed when Paul and Ermine came.

A day or so ago I found a nickel lying on the piano and enquired whose it was. Jane said that it was hers-that Bobby Nixon gave it to her to let him play with her doll. I told her that she must give it back and she said, "No indeed, it was a trade".

David was thrilled to get a birthday card and picture from Martha Roberts today. When his daddy came this afternoon he brought him cards from Caroline Corley and Miss Wanda (his S.S. teacher) which had come in the mail at home.

John went down to his mother's for dinner and to spend the night.

Sunday, January 26, 1941

The days preceding David's birth were certainly no murkier than this day has been. It has been dismally rainy and foggy. However David has been absolutely hilarious all day, knowing that it was his day. His daddy came from his Granny Houchens’ shortly after breakfast bringing his first gifts-a pair of socks from Mary Lou and Johnny and a half dollar from Mrs. Houchens. Papa and Mother then gave him a dollar. Jane and I then gave him his cowboy suit (complete with holster and lasso), the drum which Martha Roberts had sent, and Margaret Fife's package proved to be a fire engine.

We got ready and went down to Mrs. Houchens’ for dinner. Mrs. Houchens had a nice angel food with four pink candles on it and we all sang "Happy birthday" to David at dinner. He said that he could eat his whole cake, but really didn't eat any of the piece then except his icing. Later he ate a piece. Estell, Martha and Bobbie came after dinner, the latter bringing him a green ball. Bobbie got his shovel truck-our Christmas present to him.

We came on up to Mother's. Bobbie Nixon couldn't come as his father had a streptococcus throat, but he sent a bag of Hershey kisses. Alice came though, looking

121 very sweet. There were only the four children though-Bobbie, Alice, Jane and David. Alice brought David two jigsaw puzzles, and Jane a tracing and coloring book. I had brick ice cream-chocolate-strawberry and vanilla-for them. We sent Bobbie Nixon a plate. We also gave the other children little bags of macaroni to string as beads.

The way I cut the cake, David and Bobbie Traylor got clowns and we sent a clown on the piece to Bobbie Nixon. Alice (particularly) and Jane wanted clowns so I gave them the two extra ones in the box (the candles were stuck in the clowns and there had been six) and we sent the fourth clown on the cake to Mary Lou. There were also cookies for the children. Alice sang" Happy Birthday" to David-led it rather beautifully.

After they finished they (the children) all broke loose while we all hurriedly got ready for departure. One drum stick became lost in the confusion.

I never hated to leave home so much, I think, because of Papa's physical condition. He came out on the porch and saw us off alone, as Mother was inside with the others.

Jane cried for a mile or so. She is very sensitive that way. Most of the way even though we left home at 3:30-we had to drive with our lights because of fog. It was between Eastwood in Middletown before actual darkness closed in.

The house was damply cold, but we stayed in the kitchen until the furnace heated the rest of the house.

The children worked the new jigsaws over and over. Having few parts they are ideal for David. He had slept all the way home, being worn out by his busy day.

Monday, January 27, 1941

The mail this morning brought Jane's "Cub camera" from the Pepsodent Company via Clyda-- a delayed Christmas gift. Jane was delighted and pretended to make pictures all morning.

I took a nap; the children didn't. After I awakened, Adele Loring, Judy and David came. David Paul is sneezing some. Tonight he called Margaret and Martha to thank them for his gifts.

Tuesday, January 28, 1941

David has a head cold. I felt better and went to town this afternoon to buy lampshades and furniture polish.

Tonight I read to them some of "Alice in Wonderland".

Wednesday, January 29, 1941

122

Today David has 4/5 to 1° of fever and I have kept him in bed, doctoring him.

I am hoarse. John blames my trip to town yesterday. More "Alice in Wonderland" today.

Thursday, January 30, 1941

David is still in bed. He has a good appetite, but his temperature was at 100° again at four o'clock.

I sent Jane over to Martha's to take some magazines this morning. Betsy wanted her to stay to play so she did so-and even ate lunch there at Betsy's invitation. When she came back she told me very minutely about Martha's dollhouse-said that Mrs. Roberts said that she was nice. This pleased her.

The sun hasn't been out this week for her to make her Kodak pictures.

Friday, January 31, 1941

I have still kept David in bed today. I have had a sort of laryngitis.

The sun came out this morning and Jane went out and made some pictures of Maria, Jimmie and Carl.

This afternoon she skated in the Harts’ basement and stayed over there to play with Jimmie, listening to "Puss in Boots" ("Once Upon a Time" program) with him. David and I listened here.

Saturday, February 1, 1941

David was restless the early part of last night, and seemed to feel worse today than yesterday. His temperature went to 100 again about four this afternoon. He ate most of the baked potato at noon, a dish of Pablum tonight, and I got him to take more orange juice tonight than he had for a day or so by giving him a glass sipper to use with it.

The sun shone again (two days in a row) and Jane went out again today and did more photographing of Margie and Maria.

Sunday, February 2, 1941

If the sun came out today I don't know when it was, so possibly the Groundhog didn't see his shadow. However, Soc Trout (ed.- writer for Louisville newspaper) insists that February 26 is Groundhog Day, so possibly this didn't count anyhow.

123 I just read an article in Parent's which made me realize more than ever that Jane needs to do some things with us apart from David. It isn't fair for a younger child to get equal or more attention all the time. Jane likes attention, but I believe that she will be less jealous of him, more anxious to do for him, if we sometimes give her a more grown- up chance at attention.

David is still ill. His temperature this morning was over 100-about 2/5 over. We all went to S.S., as Clyda was here with him. He cried when we left, but we brought cough drops and chewing gum back to him, and that that pleased him.

Jane and her daddy went to see the Trues this afternoon, taking them what cake we had left.

David ate scarcely any dinner, but ate a doughnut at supper-not a very invalid- type of fair, but we were having them, and I didn't mind! Mostly he just drinks orange juice.

Monday, February 3, 1941

David had a restless night again last night. That is, he was awake from about two until three-thirty, asking for drinks, unable to sleep. Today I have kept him strictly on his bed, not taking him to the table for meals or to the davenport. As much as I can I have kept him lying down. In spite of that his temperature went to 101 1/5 this afternoon, the highest that it is been. I talked to Dr. Andrews and he says that he will come by to see him tomorrow morning.

Today started out about his usual except for David's illness, but turned out to be extremely eventful in that Clyda's sister called to tell her that the Bradford Woolen Mills will take her on tomorrow morning at seven on trial. This is a hard blow for us, but we have of course expected it for a long time. She will make $16 a week and I am glad for her. For these 2 1/4 years she has been with us I am more than thankful, for they were years during which the children were small.

Tuesday, February 4, 1941

David seemed much better this morning-stood up in bed, sang, talked and laughed with Jimmie Hart over in his dining room putting all kinds of toys in the three windows as a sort of display for David-blocks, teddy bears, dolls, dogs, cutouts and so on. His temperature was down to normal for a while, and thinking that he was so much better I called Dr. Andrews office and left word for him not to come until later. By noon however his temperature was up again and at two o'clock it was 102. He slept and while he slept Jane and I did the ironing. When he awakened he was so hot and flushed, his eyes matted together, lying inertly in bed. I had called for the doctor at noon, but he didn't get out until near six. I was so alarmed about David that I called John to come home early.

124 Jane has been a wonderful "Mother's little helper" today. Even so, events have moved fast. Just before the doctor came a Slaughter man from home came to see John about a position at Charlestown or some such place. And Margaret Harding called just as the doctor was coming in.

Dr. Andrews said that David has a type of flu-cold combination which is going around and he has infection in both ears-also some bronchitis. He is giving him sulfapyridine rectally. He said that the sulfathiazol which he gave Jane before Christmas doesn't touch this. Since the sulfapyridine is more toxic he wants it given through the rectum with a small ear syringe. We are also using a new type of nose drops for him, and also a cough syrup which has codeine in it.

Wednesday, February 5, 1941

David has slept a large part of today. His temperature dropped some this afternoon. However he feels that he is going to vomit and has consistently refused everything except orange juice-several times (most of the time he refused that) and a little water.

He it has lain listlessly most of the time when he has been awake. Jane played outside some yesterday and again today.

Tonight I went over to church at six to a Worker's Council because I was on a program. John stayed here of course.

Thursday, February 6, 1941

David's temperature has been down to normal today and he has taken a little food. Jane seems a bit sniffly since last night and I had given her hot lemonade, used nose drops on her, and so on.

David broke out with hives this afternoon but they have gone in some now.

Friday, February 7, 1941

We had a bad night. David didn't sleep yesterday, very little last night-and very little today. He lay awake last night and became flighty-seeing a bug moving on the wall (it was a scratch on the wallpaper), said that somebody was under his bed-had a startled, abnormal appearance in his eyes. We became so upset that finally at 5:30 John called Dr. Andrews and he said to stop the medicine, that he had had enough of that, and such results sometimes followed. After daybreak David didn't talk irrationally, but shouted to us and seemed generally unlike himself. He refused breakfast. Having had no bowel movement for two days I gave him an olive oil injection (3 ounces rectally) followed by a salt enema in two hours. At first he had a poor result-later a good one. However he complained of abdominal pain and Dr.Andrews asked me to give him paregoric. In the

125 meantime he had refused lunch. By the time the drug store got here with new paregoric he had dropped off into a fitful sleep. However, he was soon awake, and I gave him the paregoric. He never did go to sleep. Then he complained of sore throat. I called John to tell him that and he said that Dr. Andrews was coming out. He didn't arrive until after six. In the meantime David had staged a wonderful recovery beating his drum and seeming more normal, even to requesting hamburgers and rice for supper. This Dr. Andrews refused -- said that he could have the rice, but to keep him on liquid diet today, go on soft diet tomorrow-regular the day after. He said that he has had a nasty infection but that it seems to be killed, although he still has some tonsillitis, not serious. He said that we want no backtracking, that I am to keep him in bed until Tuesday-give him Amytal tablets to keep him quiet.

I had him look at Jane’s nose and he said that she had some congestion there, but no other trouble.

We had a girl, Mildred Robinson from Camp Taylor to work for us today.

126 Book # 20- February 8, 1941-May 9, 1941

127

Saturday, February 8, 1941

David awakened crying this morning, seemingly foggy in his mind for a moment, but was all right after he got awake.

There wasn't so much to do this morning since Mildred had cleaned yesterday. Jane had asthma.

After John came home and I went in town at 20 of 4 to get some things which I needed to finish Jane's dress-- buttons, shoulder pads and so on-- I returned on the 15 of 6 bus.

David is on a soft diet today (as contrasted with the liquid diet of the week) and tomorrow can go on his regular diet. He begged for hamburgers last night, but Dr. Andrews said "No".

Sunday, February 9, 1941

We slept until 8:30 and for a rare change, none of us went to S.S. Yesterday Jane had one of the only real attacks of asthma that she has had this winter. I had to give her 3 teaspoons of ephedrine in the course of the day, and she slept by a croup kettle this afternoon. Last night she was better and today seemed all right. I was glad, for Ann Couey had asked her to come to their house from three to five this afternoon to a tea-- to serve mints and cookies.

David has seemed better today-ate better-took some milk. He hadn't been drinking milk while he was ill-nothing but orange juice. He also took a long nap this afternoon, which he hasn't been able to do even with Amytal tablets. (ed.- Amobarbital, systemic barbiturate) He is taking elixir of Feosol (ed.- Ferrous sulfate) twice a day and likes it. When I came home from town yesterday John had him on the davenport and we brought him to the davenport a while this evening. He breaks out in beads of perspiration after the least exertion.

Jane really looked sweet when she was ready to go to Ann’s. She wore her new dress, with socks and hair ribbon to match-and as I told her, I fixed her curls something like Shirley Temple's, with the band all the way around her head.

John took her, Ann brought her back, bringing candy, cookies and pretty basket favors. I have never seen her in such a big way. There were about 35 at the tea, and Jane said that they all hugged her and made over her. Her dress has her name Jane on it and when they asked her name she pointed to that. She said that she loved Mrs. Couey, loved every body in the whole world. I am glad for her to get attention entirely apart from David sometimes, as she seems to thrive on it.

128

Monday, February 10, 1941

Whether the nervous reaction was too much for Jane I don't know, but she has been at cross purposes most of the day. The sun was out for a change, and she was out some both in the morning and afternoon.

Tonight before supper when I went in to take David his tray he said, "I might die." "Why do you say that?" I asked. He said, "I'm sick." "But you are better now," I told him, "and are going to get up tomorrow."

He took such a long nap that he couldn't go to sleep as soon as Jane tonight. I went in there and put, a chair in front of Jane's bed remarking she might fall out. "When are you going to get me a faller-out bed?" he enquired. "I'm big now."

Tuesday, February 11, 1941

David was awake, grinning, when we got up, anxiously waiting to get up as we had promised. We, by the hardest, prevailed on him to stay in bed until the house had warmed up some. Poor little fellow! When he got out of bed and started to walk he could hardly make it, said that it hurt him to walk. In fact once or twice in the course of the morning he actually fell. I attempted to keep him as quiet as possible-moved the green lounging chair into the middle of the living room floor. Jane started building him a hospital of blocks on the floor in front of him. He wanted some sterilized cotton-asked me for some-so I went upstairs and got the doctor set which I had purchased after Christmas either for his birthday or Jane's as a sort of recompense to Jane for my not giving her a doctor set at Christmas after Mrs. Hart gave her a nurse set. This doctor set has a nurse's Red Cross apron, cap and arm band. David was fascinated by the outfit and has played with it all day. Jane played with it some too, but he was a bit fussy about it, and so was she. As the day was sunny and warm, I sent Jane out to play before noon, and she was out again this afternoon. Whether David was excited at having been up I do not know, but he never did take a nap, even though I gave him an Amytal tablet (his last one) after I put him to bed. Jane went to sleep and took a good nap.

David wanted me to hang his doctor's appointment book on the wall late this afternoon. I told him just to let it sit on the desk the way that our desk calendar did. He said that it didn't have a "sitter-up".

John went to Seymour, Indiana today and had an A.I.E.E. dinner meeting at the Mayflower tonight, but came home to clean up before the dinner bringing the children Choco-pops.

Wednesday, February 12, 1941

129 Last night before David went to bed he said, "This morning I couldn't walk without falling down." Today however the little fellow has managed better. It is been beautifully warm and sunny. Yesterday Jane had walked over to Widgeon alone to mail a jigsaw puzzle for Sally Ann’s birthday today. Later in the afternoon she walked to the Couey's to take them some tickets for the lecture tonight. This morning I sent her over to Betsy’s to take her five postcards.

I finally wrapped David up and sat on the back steps with him a little while in the sun. There was a bad little wind though. I mentioned that I'd be glad if we could do something about the wind, and he said that he would tell God to stop it. He then wanted to know if God were actually looking down at us.

This afternoon Claudine, Margaret and Barbara walked out, but didn't come in, Jane with them and walked on over to Roberts'. Later he the Doughertys came by for a few minutes.

We, John and I, were going to the Speed School dinner at the Mayflower tonight. Mildred Cole stayed with the children. While John was getting David's bathrobe and slippers on him just before we left, he told his daddy that he was going to shoot him dead. John asked him what he would do for a daddy, and he said that he would go up in the sky and ask God to make him another. (We went to Bennett's to see movies.)

Thursday, February 13, 1941

The day has been rainy. I started Jane back over to Mrs. Lovell's today. David was cross this morning. He has lost considerable weight, I think. This afternoon he was better.

Jane has been addressing Valentines.

They received Valentines yesterday from Mother, today from the Fenwick children and Clyda.

Friday, February 14, 1941

I started Jane back over to Mrs. Lovell's yesterday morning.

Today has been given over largely to Valentines. The children received quite an assortment. Children in the neighborhood delivered theirs at the door, putting them in the mail box. Jane took ours in the neighborhood to the various doors, most of them before she left for a nursery school. When the mail came there were even more. We had mailed a group last night.

David played with his a great deal, but was very punctilious about not opening the ones that came in the mail to Jane before she returned from nursery school. The children had been to the public library with Mrs. Lovell, and back at her house had had ice cream

130 cones, a Valentine box, and so on. Jane, Buddy and Ronnie Fifer had evidently had trouble though, and all three had to sit on chairs. This naturally upset Jane. To make matters worse, when she returned home she found that Suzanne and Carl had been playing here, the former with Jane's dolls, disarranging them considerably.

John and I went to the Litkenhous' for dinner tonight. The Lovells were also there. Mildred Cole stayed with the children.

Saturday, February 15, 1941

Mildred Robinson worked here this morning. I let her go at 12:45.

This afternoon I made an applesauce cake. The children wanted to make biscuits, so I showed Jane how to do it, and she did pretty well with them, except that she rolled them so thin that they were crisp like crackers. They both enjoyed it.

At five I went to the grocery store, as John was feeling headachy.

David has been wanting fresh peaches since he was sick, so I had Julius Straws deliver some of those Birdseye quick frozen peaches yesterday and we had them tonight. David said they were good, and they really were.

John took David to the barber shop since supper.

Sunday, February 16, 1941

We went to S.S. David got to have his birthday celebrated at this late date. We came home after S.S., I straightened up the house and then we drove down to Walgreens to eat dinner. We had baked hen with trimmings. The children enjoyed orange sherbert for dessert so much that we finally had to get them orange sherbert cones in addition.

This afternoon while David napped I wrote and mailed some cards. We ate our supper, such as it was, in the living room.

Monday, February 17, 1941

I ran the washer this morning-finished in time to get David and me dressed by the time Mrs. Lovell brought Jane from nursery school. The former was driving all the way in town, so the children and I went in with her to the Heyburn building, and I took David up to Dr. Wood. He said that I shall have to start in on his exercises again very gradually beginning with only about two tiptoe exercises morning and night-and I am not to force him to walk at all when he complains of being tired. He gave me a Squibb product-wheat germ oil, vitamin D, to give him one half teaspoon per day until I finished it-then bring him in again. In addition to that he is getting his elixir of feosol (iron), and Dr. Andrews wants him to continue it at least three weeks-also his cod liver oil.

131 The children and I came immediately home by streetcar, reaching here in time for lunch at two o'clock. They ate fairly well. David slept during the afternoon and just tonight I was amazed at the suppers they both ate.

I had made split pea soup. At first they remonstrated about eating that, but finally ate their servings. Then they each had a boiled egg. I made them each a small peanut butter and bread sandwich and they ate those and Jane requested another big one which she ate. David drank a cup of warm chocolate milk and Jane drank 2 cups of white milk.

I gave David half a grapefruit and Jane half an orange-to eat with a spoon. They finished those and I had to prepare two more orange halves for Jane, and two orange halves for David. If this would keep up it would beat all medicines.

Tuesday, February 18, 1941

Mildred worked for us today. I made a short trip in town this afternoon-left at 2:12 (Camp Taylor bus) and was back at 4:30.

Tonight just before I put the children to bed I let them go with me across to the Vanderhaar's to lend some books to Margie and Maria. We took "We Looked Around Us" (from the Mary Sublett books) "Just Puggy" and "Snow White and Rose Red". Jane selected the ones that she thought Margie would have no trouble reading. David was thrilled to get out even for that few minutes.

Wednesday, February 19, 1941

The clinic test on Mildred was OK. I got the report this morning

Jane went to nursery school-said that Ronnie Fifer and Buddy had to sit on chairs for hitting her and Margaret.

David has been taking long afternoon naps this week. While he was asleep this afternoon Mrs. Vanderhaar, Maria and Jimmie came. He (Jimmie) is so fat that he looks as though he is bound to pop out of his skin-- with vividly blue eyes. Jane was worried with him for slobbering and spitting up, and Maria put her hands to her ears when he cried.

Thursday, February 20, 1941

Stella was here today. As formerly, she did a thorough cleaning job and paid a lot of attention to the children. Jane in the course of the day reacted as she sometimes does when David gets a bit more attention than she. One reason was that she has a boil on her leg, rather painful, and in spite of all my earnest efforts in dealing with her, she cries and takes on like a two-year-old, even at the pulling off of a piece of adhesive.

132 After Stella was gone Jane wanted to play with her, so we invited Margie and Maria over and they were here for 45 minutes, staying in the children's room so as not to get the living room rug dirty as our vacuum is out of order.

Friday, February 21, 1941

Jane went to Mrs. Lovell's this morning. This afternoon making a special effort with her I lay on the davenport with her and looked at the new Life with her. Afterwards the children and I went for a little walk, not wanting to tire David we walked as far as the Coueys. It hurt me seemingly more than it did David. Tonight we went to the A&P.

Saturday, February 22, 1941

Mildred has worked here today. I didn't let the children go out. I should have mentioned yesterday that Claudine offered to take Jane with them to the circus, but I was, or rather John was, afraid for her to go because of the prevalence of mumps, measles and scarlet fever.

We had guests for dinner tonight-the Loewners, Lovells and Roberts. I had Georgia, a colored girl, to work for me-serve the dinner, wash dishes, etc. I was dreadfully embarrassed when David walked in the kitchen and said "You are a Negro and I don't like you". I've reproved him and sent him to his room, but I could have gone through the floor. I don't know why he said that. The children did better than usual during the dinner. Jane acted beautifully. David was a bit irrepressible, but we are glad to see him getting his old pep back.

Sunday, February 23, 1941

I didn't go to S.S., but John and the children did. We have been lazy today, except that Harris and Thelma came by for a while this afternoon, and we were glad to see them. Thelma has been ill a long time. Jane ran out when they left, fell and got coal soot all over her new dress.

Monday, February 24, 1941

Jane has taken a new interest in playing with Gay of late. Gay is her Betsy-Wetsy doll, and her complete name is Gay Elizabeth Patricia Ann. Jane has been giving her formula (water in her bottle) at four hour intervals, sterilizing her bottle, seeing that she is dry and so on.

David never goes back on Boy (his rag doll who looks something like a nursery rhyme character-Little Jack Horner for instance)-and Boy is anything but clean now. David sleeps with him most of the time, and very often takes him places with him.

133 Jane went to nursery school but came home before 12 with Mrs. Lovell. Eleanor had fallen in the road and cut her forehead badly-had to be taken to St. Joseph's to have it sewed. It made a big impression on Jane, and she has talked about it a good deal today.

David played out a long time this morning for the first time and came in with roses in his cheeks.

We all three slept this afternoon.

Tuesday, February 25, 1941

The children both played out this morning. I went to Helen Macintoshe's for the book club luncheon, leaving Mildred to take charge here at home. Afterwards John picked me up and we went to Dr. Morse's, then came home by the Tots and Teens and Sears Roebuck. Next John took Mildred home, the children going along.

Wednesday, February 26, 1941

Mrs. Lovell didn't have nursery school because some of the children were out, so I took the children to town for David to try on snow suits-rather legging suits. We finally ended by bringing out a navy blue regulation suit-brass buttons and emblem on the sleeve from Selman's-size 6. I had an overcoat suit here from Stewart's, size 5.

I took the children in Walgreens for sodas and malted milks but they didn't like them much.

Before we came home I took them to Woolworth's ostensibly to get David's bomber plane. They had none -so he selected a canon and a soldier with a gun. Jane got a new jigsaw puzzle.

As we came to the Camp Taylor bus on Walnut street near Durand's we passed a blind man singing. It made an impression on the children. After we got on the bus they were talking about him, and David asked if the blind man would have to die and go to heaven before he could see. I said "yes", and there was more similar conversation, all persons in the back of the bus hearing. Jane then informed David that he would have to die that we all have to die some time. At this he broke down and wept, saying that he didn't want to die. I pointed out to him that he might live to be old before he died, but this didn't satisfy him and I finally had to agree that he wasn't going to die before he would become quiet. The young man in front of him started talking to him about his guns and he forgot his anguish.

Tonight John decided in favor of the regulation suit.

134 Thursday February 27, 1941

We have had our first real snow of the season today. Jane went to nursery school and played out in it, and David played in it twice this morning and once this afternoon. I put two pairs of gloves on him and gave him a spoon to work in the snow with.

Mrs. Dougherty called and wanted Jane to come up to Goodwyns' (where she and Sallie Ann live) this afternoon to play and have dinner, so Jane went and her daddy went for her before his night class. When she came home she said that they had everything that she liked-charlotte russe and so on-but she ate some here-she usually does that after she has eaten away from home. I take this not as flattery, but force of habit.

Friday, February 28, 1941

Jane went to nursery school. Verna Tucker Ratcliffe had invited me to be her guest at the Crescent Hill Women's Club to hear a drama critic this morning, and George Dangerfield on "Books That Count" this afternoon. I had a nice time, but had to leave home at 10:15 and didn't get back until 4:30. Mildred was here.

I had salmon loaf for dinner and Jane, just before we ate, picked up the dish (I had it on a Pyrex pie dish on a plate) and started around the table with it to serve her plate. The dish slipped off, turned upside down and there was a mess of broken glass and salmon-and very little supper for us.

Tonight I went with the Coueys down to Walnut Street Church to hear Dr. Hill. Afterwards we had a session of Georgetonians. La Verne, a 12-year old who lives with the Peters, stayed with the children.

Saturday, March 1, 1941

This morning most of the snow was gone and it was warmer, but I bundled the children up and then stayed out for a while. Margie and Maria played with them. I made two pictures of them, Ann Tritt and Maria in front of the Hart’s garage.

Equipped with long handled cooking spoons they worked in the snow.

This afternoon John and the children drove me to Dr. Morse and he found me all right. While I was there John drove the youngsters to Bowman Field.

Afterwards we went on to town for John to get his new suit. The children and I sat in the car. Coming home we drove along Fourth Street. They were interested in all the soldiers in town, and wondered why they didn't have guns. They were also interested in theater signs.

Jane cried tonight because her daddy was going out again. We went to a wedding at the First Lutheran church-were gone approximately an hour. La Verne stayed here.

135 Sunday, March 2, 1941

John and the children went to S.S. but I didn't, as there was too much to do. John has suffered with abdominal pain today.

This afternoon Margie and Maria came over a while-then the children went over there a while.

We stayed at home as we were expecting Brother to bring us a car, but he didn't arrive.

David wore his new coat suit this morning. It is plenty large.

Monday, March 3, 1941

Jane went to nursery school. David hasn't been out, as he has seemed a little sniffly. I washed. Mildred was here-- cleaned, washed dishes and ironed a little.

The children and I all took naps this afternoon. That is unusual for Jane these days.

Tuesday, March 4, 1941

Mildred was here today. There was ironing to be done, and we made slow progress, it seemed. I rested but didn't take a nap. Neither did the children. They ended up over at Vanderhaar's late this afternoon.

Wednesday, March 5, 1941

We were late getting up today. I forgot that Jane was going to nursery school, and we were sitting calmly (the children and I) at the breakfast table, not dressed, when Ethel came for Jane. She went on for Patty Shore and came back for Jane. I had her ready then. David played outside all morning with Carl and Suzie. Once I missed him, went to look for them, and they were back in the Schroder’s garage climbing on some lumber framework there-strictly against Mrs. Williams' orders.

When Jane came home she brought a bench which she had made (from a Kraft cheese box) and stained.

And they were out again this afternoon.

Thursday, March 6, 1941

Stella was here today, bringing Jane a necklace of dogs (it had been hers) and David some small tools. Jane went over to Mrs. Lovell's today-made David a bed (doll) today and stained it.

136 Friday, March 7, 1941

This is been a full day. John went to school with Jean. Mildred hadn't arrived, so I took the children and started to the grocery store (Super -Market). We got our groceries there, came back by Kernen's and got a leg of lamb, then by Fifes to tell Claudine that she could go to the club with me, then to Steiden's, then hurriedly home to leave the groceries with Mildred, then out to Mrs. Fleck's to have my hair shampooed and set-the children with me. They were very good while there-- touched nothing.

Home after 11. I quickly got dressed and went to the University Women's Club picking up Claudine. Dr. Kain talked. Claudine received "The Family." I came home with Mrs. Heinritz, who was coming out to Mrs. Adams'. The latter kindly lent me her azalea, since I am having guests tomorrow night.

After I arrived home I started in to make an icebox cake, but hadn't progressed far when to our delight Mother rang the doorbell. Brother had at last arrived in our new "used car", but had gone on to take Cousin Linnie down to Thelma's. Ermine was with him, also some man. We got only a glimpse of a green car.

David was still asleep. Mother went in there and when he opened his eyes and saw her it didn't take him a long time to get awake as it usually does. He came right up then.

Well, we had a flurried time for a while. John and I were going to dinner at church (his S.S. class party) and so had made no particular arrangements here at home because La Verne was to stay with the children. Mother insisted that I prepare no food, but I fixed some Spam and was going to scramble eggs for them and made salad. However, when Paul and Ermine came back they never would sit down in the dining room to eat. I served them some salad in the living room and made sandwiches for them to eat on the way home. John and I started to church at a quarter of seven in the new car. ( It has a radio, to the children’s delight,) got there just as the folks were going in to dinner.

The car is a 1940 model Chevrolet coach, with plenty of buttons for the children to push.

Saturday, March 8, 1941

Today has been given over largely to preparations for tonight's guests. Mildred worked this morning, Georgia was here to serve tonight.

John drove the children to Bowman Field this afternoon.

We had the Wilkinson's, Fifes and Coueys for dinner tonight. The children acted creditably. David sent word for Mrs. Couey to kiss him goodnight, Jane wanted to show them her kitten picture.

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We played Dixie-Doodles (borrowed from the Berean party last night.

Sunday, March 9, 1941

We got to S.S. on time and made my Home Mission talk. Coming home we enjoyed the car radio-a talk by Upton Close-(Joseph Washington Hall) from San Francisco.

I relaxed completely this afternoon-was asleep when Ann Couey came by bringing a Chinese girl, Miss Chow. Jane sat speechless all the time the girl was here, drinking in her oriental look and dress. David, unabashed, showed her his Valentines. He shows them to every body who comes in and can read them.

After they left John drove the children to Highland Park.

Monday, March 10, 1941

Kaufman's had a one-day sale, so I made a flying trip down with the children to see spring coat sets for Jane, but didn't buy her one-got David some summer weight pajamas, a green suit (Thomas Sawyer) and a little wedding gift for Mildred Hale. We got the 18 of ten bus and were home at twelve.

This afternoon I made Toll House cookies for class meeting tonight.

Mildred called and said that her mother was sick and she couldn't work for me anymore. I asked if her mother were very ill, and she said that she had nervous spells which were getting worse. It sounded like a very flimsy excuse.

Tonight I was co-hostess with Ruth Boehm, Miss Watkins and Rose Coombs at Ruth's home for S.S. meeting

Tuesday, March 11, 1941

The children played out some this morning although a stiff March wind was blowing. I put them out in desperation as they were wrangling a great deal inside. David slept all afternoon, but he doesn't sleep often anymore in the day time.

Tonight Mrs.Vanderhaar and I went over to hear Dr. Webster at the Law School speak on the Novel and its Effect on the Present Social Order.

David vomited his supper for some reason.

138 Wednesday, March 12, 1941

I had promised Jane even before Clyda left that we should have a day in town together some time. Well, of course there has been no good opportunity since. I wanted to get her a spring coat set before they are all too much picked over, so asked La Verne to come this afternoon and stay after school with David. She arrived about five minutes of three. Jane and I were ready (David was asleep) and made (by running) the 3:02 bus. We went first to the Jefferson Dry Goods and looked at coat sets then to Ben Snyder's then back to Stewart's and finally to Baach's. I didn't expect the latter still to have a set which we had liked when we were looking at winter sets for David, but they did-a navy with a white collar, hat with it, size 6, $8.95. There was also a military set as cute as it could be at $9.95, but Jane could see nothing except this, so we bought it.

It was then five o'clock and we went to the library, looking at books until John came for us at 5:30. I left Jane upstairs in the children's department to select hers, while I went downstairs. John went on up there when I came, and the first thing I knew they were downstairs together.

On the way out we stopped at Kapfammers and Kernen's but were home by 6:10. La Verne had let David go out a while. Tonight we of course read some of their library books.

Thursday, March 13, 1941

While the children were outside playing this morning, I took my smoke abatement cards to be signed to Mrs. Hart, Bierbaum, Schroeder and Vanderhaar. Then I ran over to Mrs. Seeder's to tell her that I wanted to be neighborly. They have the house very attractively arranged, but it is indeed sad to see their poor mentally deficient daughter, Violet.

This afternoon the sister of Mrs. Vanderhaar's maid, Adrian Houck, came to see me about work. I had talked to her yesterday on the phone. She is seemingly a very nice girl, Doris by name, and I have engaged her to work beginning Monday.

Gladys Corley had an invitational ticket for the premiere of Gary Cooper in "Meet Jane Doe", and asked me to accompany her, as Grover was teaching night school. La Verne stayed here with the children, as John also had night school. We went down with the Woodhouses, friends of Gladys. The picture is excellent. I want John to see it. The theme is "Love Thy Brother", and it is particularly appropriate to the present time.

Friday, March 14, 1941

The children played nicely with Carl and Suzie this morning. This afternoon John came out after three and we took them to Dr. Andrews and had them both vaccinated in the arm.

139 Jane was 45 3/4" tall and weighed 47 pounds not undressed, but without wraps. David also without wraps was 41 inches tall and weighed 39 pounds. Neither of them cried, although David whimpered a bit. Jane wouldn't have acted nearly so well had we been doing something to her here at home. When John let us out at Third and Broadway so that he could go to park, some man whom we met told me that they were a fine couple, that David was too pretty to be a boy.

John was having the car washed while we were at the doctor's, and as it wasn't to be ready until five, we went in Shackleton's and selected a record for the children-"The Gingerbread Boy".

John felt so bad tonight that he went to Dr. Morse, and the latter told him that his trouble might be a spastic colon. He has been suffering with it off and on 10 days or more. The doctor thought that it was partly due to the strain he has been under.

La Verne stepped on Jane's toe last night before she put her to bed, breaking the skin a little bit, and I had a time with her getting the bandage off this morning.

Saturday, March 15, 1941

The day has been typically March-- rain turning to snow and vice versa several times during the day.

We considered going to Owenton this afternoon, but since the weather was so bad, since the children were invited to Judy Loring's birthday party this afternoon, and since Cousin Mary invited us there for dinner tonight we decided to wait and go tomorrow.

We had no gift for Judy, so, after we started out, went to the 10 cent store next to Dr. Kerr's office and bought her a paper doll book, and a small doll carriage-also a rubber tractor for David Loring. The party looked very attractive. The little Gregory girl who lived next door when we lived at 1223 was there.

Alma Jean Corson stayed with the children tonight while we went out to Cousin Ray’s. They didn't get back until almost 6, a laden down with favors.

Billie, Emma Alice, Howard and Peggy were at Cousin Ray's tonight.

Sunday, March 16, 1941

We arose at 5:30 (John and I) this morning, and the children at six-- started to Owenton at 6:30. John and I had coffee here at home, the children milk and bread. David awakened when I went in there and turned on the light, but he had to awaken Jane. She was very sleepy.

140 We were at Mother’s by 8:15. Papa was in the living room. They had eaten breakfast, but Mother cooked us some. We were pleased to find Papa definitely looking better, definitely feeling and eating better according to Mother.

John went for his mother and brought her up home. After dinner Uncle Boy and Aunt Dink came over, also AJ, Ruth and the babies.

We started home at 4:30, were back at 6:30, David sleeping all the way.

Monday, March 17, 1941

Doris Lee Houck started work for us this morning. She seems to be a nice girl. I had told the children that this was St. Patrick's Day and they must wear something green, so David wore green socks and Jane a green hair ribbon. They heard a St. Patrick program on the radio at 10:30.

I went to Mrs. Gordon's for lunch-- the sewing unit then came back to the University and sewed. I went with Mrs. Cole, but returned by bus making bad connection and almost freezing. The weather is uncomfortably cold today-a stiff wind blowing-the tail of a terrific storm of wind and cold in Minnesota and North Dakota which froze many people (45 at least) to death.

Tuesday, March 18, 1941

The children were not out yesterday, but were out a while this afternoon.

Tonight they were in the bathroom getting ready to take their bath. I was fixing their beds-heard Jane's say-"In 17 more years you will be a man, David, for you will be twenty-one" (how she knew this, or figured this out I don't know. I must ask for tomorrow). "Yes", replied David, "I'll have a big fingers and a fuzzy toileter like Daddy's".

Their vaccinations are taking. Dr. Andrews says to bring them in tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 19, 1941

I took the children to Dr. Andrews, getting there around 11, and he put gauze bandages on their arms with holes cut over their vaccinations. On the way in town David put paperclips in the motorman’s box just before we got off the Preston street car at Broadway. He never can't resist ringing down the change in the Camp Taylor bus box when he passes it.

From Dr. Andrews’ we went over to Dr. Wood. He thought he saw some improvement in David-had me get Zygon for him at $1.80 for 2 ounces. There David wanted to bother his sterilizing machine-or else sharpened pencils in the pencil sharpener on the secretary's desk.

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Next we went to Jones’ to get the Zygon, then to the library-- David was looking for "Manners Can be Fun", but it still wasn't in (we got two others)-- then to the Piggly- Wiggly for some meat -- and then home. It was after two when we got here, and we had to have lunch.

The day has been much warmer. The children were able to go out to play this afternoon in their corduroy coveralls. They went walking with the Vanderhaars over to Mrs. Nachod's.

Just before dinner I had a lesson in driving the new gearshift arrangement on our car by driving us out to Camp Taylor to take Mildred Hale a small wedding gift.

Thursday, March 20, 1941

I would catalogue this is our first real spring-like day.

Stella was here. Jane's arm seems a bit more advanced than David's, and she complicated the business of one sore arm by going out and falling off a tricycle, hurting the elbow on her other arm, the first thing this morning.

The Coueys came by bringing them respectively a blue bunny (Jane) and a hen that cackles (David).

Stella got our bedroom housecleaned today.

Friday, March 21, 1941

First day of Spring-not so warm as yesterday but spring-like.

Doris came at eight, and I went with John, rode the Fourth Street car, and was at Besten's at 9:05 for an appointment to have a permanent. I was there until 12:30. I went in for a "cap of curls", but finally let the operator, Mrs. Ruth Shields, talk me into a standard all over permanent at $5.50 (including 50 cents for cut). While there I read Mrs. Kent's book, "The Voyager" by Charles Morgan.

Home at 1:30, I ate a bite of lunch, dressed Jane and we went (she and I) with Mrs. Vanderhaar and Maria to the latter's dancing class-Mary Long Hanlon's ballet at her studio downtown. Jane was pleased of course-particularly to be wearing her new spring coat and hat.

David cried when we left even though I had this morning bought him his long- desired bomber plane. He slept while we were gone. Mrs.Vanderhaar sent the children a hoe, rake and shovel set.

Their vaccinations-particularly Jane's-are rather sore.

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Saturday, March 22, 1941

Doris worked half a day today. I have let down David's spring coat the limit today-and have taken up the hem of my brown dress-and other work of that nature.

The children were outside this afternoon while their daddy was washing the car. Contrary to my better judgment, I let Jane go out without overalls on. She became sniffly and cough-y, and I feel sick to think that I have let her in for asthma or a cold. I had them both in bed at 6:30.

Dr. McBee is at St. Joseph's with double pneumonia.

Sunday, March 23, 1941

I got up at 5:30 this morning with the idea of doing some pressing and making a cake for David-in order to get some photographs of him with a birthday cake. The current was off. I called the L.G. and E. and they said a pole had been hit. So I got to use my iron and Mixmaster only after they got the trouble fixed. Even so, the cake was more or less in vain, except as dessert for our dinner, for rain started falling in midmorning and it is drizzled all day-or else rained hard.

John and the children drove me to Sunday School, but they didn't go themselves as there is a good deal of measles, mumps and scarlet fever in town. Doris was here 10 to 1.

We all rested this afternoon. Ann Couey stopped for a few minutes. Then we drove up to the Curry’s for Mr. Curry to see about our car radio-already out of commission for some reason. The children are always glad to see Jimmie.

John went to the hospital this morning and again this afternoon to see about Dr. McBee.

Jane seems to have asthma tonight-even had a degree of fever.

Monday, March 24, 1941

Ethel Lovell called last night and invited the children for lunch today, since yesterday was John's birthday-I told her that we were not sure about Jane-that David could go. This morning I let Ethel picked him up at nine with the nursery school children. I kept Jane at home several hours to see if she were all right-then let her go for lunch. Clyda came by to see us, her mother driving by with her as they went to the grocery store. Clyda has lost 30 some odd pounds of weight, going from about a size 48 to 40 clothes., but says that she is feeling fine. Jane was glad to see her (I was dressing her to go to Mrs. Lovell's), but of course David wasn't here.

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Ethel brought all the children with her when they came for Jane. They weren't back when I left with Mrs. Miller to go to the University to sew. I was back at four. The children hadn't slept or even rested very long, I think.

Tuesday, March 25, 1941

I didn't have Doris come in until 11 today, as we were going out tonight. After lunch I went to town-invested in nylon hose for myself-looked at curtains, and so on. On my way to the Camp Taylor bus station I was hailed by Mrs. Vanderhaar and Margie in the car waiting for Mr. Vanderhaar. . I came out with them. John had to be back early, of course, so I went over with the Vanderhaars and picked up John at school, then went over to the law building to hear Dr. Abell speak on "Medicine and National Defense"-a very interesting and timely topic, presented in the most comprehensive way by Dr. Abell. We met him afterwards, asked him about Dr. McBee-and he considered him some better tonight-temperature down-although "not out of the woods yet", to use his term. He calls him Dr. Mac, mentioned having graduated with him.

Wednesday, March 26, 1941

My birthday has been nice, and even eventful to the extent that we had our big Cottonwood Poplar in back of the house cut down today.

Jane went to nursery school. Shortly afterwards two men came by wanting to top our tree, so instead we had them cut it down, as it seemed the only thing to do, so infested with worms was it-and messy the summer through. They charged five dollars to cut it down, but the wood is still there, as they wanted two more dollars to haul it away, and we hope to dispose of it. Of course the cutting down was a spectacle for the children-the entire procedure took almost 4 hours-and after they finished the logs back of the fence afforded a great means of past time. The weather has become warmer today

When Jane came from nursery school John and Eleanor presented me with two very lovely handmade handkerchiefs. I also received four birthday cards (Mother had already given me five dollars), Jane and David sang "Happy Birthday" to me and all day reminded me of my birthday and said sweet things about it, and John gave me a very lovely pin-Lily of the Valley corsage effect lapel pin.

Since John wasn't to be home for dinner, the children and I went to the barbershop-both of them riding their tricycles-to Steiden's. (Mr. Doyle has a new son)- Then to the drugstore for ice cream cones-then home by the Birtle’s and a brief stop there to see the three kittens born St. Patrick's Day-two yellow and one gray-one of which Jane is to get.

The children are getting to bed promptly at or before eight these nights and going right to sleep-this when they have no naps. They have their baths at night, also David’s exercises morning and night.

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Doris wasn't here today.

Thursday, March 27, 1941

Jimmie Curry spent today here. Maria also had lunch with us. All morning the children played outside, Carl and Jimmie H. playing with them. Carl, David and Jimmie Curry all wore cowboy suits. Jimmie Curry was wearing the belt and holster which Clyda gave David, Carl took it off and lost it out in the field.

After lunch the children listened to records and I read to them for a rest period. Then Doris took them for a walk. Most disconcerting news this afternoon is that Carl may be broken out with the measles. Tomorrow will tell perhaps.

Friday, March 28, 1941

Jane went to nursery school, Ethel having to walk for her because of a flat tire. I went to town-bought a ready made quilt for Jane's bed-now I'm sorry that I didn't invest in a part-will blanket instead.

I went to my book club luncheon at Betsy's-nice time. Martha was at the Lovell's.

Talking about our trip to Massachusetts at supper tonight David remembered and reminded us of being asleep in the car, awakening to find that Clyda and all of us had left him-at a filling station. That was in Huntington or Ashland, as I remember, and we had gone to the restroom. He followed us crying, fell down and got his coat dusty. He remembered all the details.

Saturday, March 29, 1941

John developed a temperature of 101 3/5 last night-and had a terrible night of abdominal pain. He had been in to Dr. Morse yesterday afternoon and the latter said that he was "unwinding" from the nervous strain that he has been under. However that didn't explain the fever, so we had him come out this morning, and he found that John had a very bad sore throat even though it didn't hurt him. He has been in bed all day, his temperature down. However it went up again tonight.

I went to the grocery store this afternoon leaving the children and John in the care of each other. Doris also had a cold and didn't come.

Martha, Estell and Bobby were in town. Martha called twice but they didn't come out.

Dr. McBee is better.

Sunday, March 30, 1941

145

I didn't awaken until nine this morning. Even the children slept late. They missed their 8:30 "funnies", and Sunday school was out of the question for in addition to John's illness, I awakened with a sick headache, and started the day by vomiting. Not being able to go near food, I turned the children's breakfast over to Jane. I had cooked wheat cereal in a double boiler yesterday. This she heated for them. There was pineapple juice in the yellow pitcher in the refrigerator and she made toast for them.

At 10 Doris came, and it was good to have someone to achieve order out of the chaos. Since John and I were off food we didn't cook our roast. Shortly after Doris came I had her send the children outside, as I wanted to get them in the fresh air as much as possible, in case their daddy’s throat infection, if that it were, should be inclined to pass to them. Very soon there were screams and John and I rushed to the windows. I was on Jane's bed. It developed that Jimmie Hart and David were riding Jimmie's tricycle-David behind Jimmie-and somehow they ran bang into the Harts' car and turned over, hitting Jimmie's nose and making it bleed profusely, hitting David's upper lip. The latter bled and Jane came in weeping bitterly, saying that David was hurt terribly. We washed it off and put Merthiolate on at, but it puffed up a great deal, and he has been very peculiar- looking the rest of the day.

This afternoon the children were out and Jane came to tell me that David was gone. I wasn't dressed so sent Jane, Gerry, Margie and Maria to look for him. They became frightened of a dog down the street (my children are very afraid of dogs in spite of my love of them) and I had to get dressed and go to look for him. I found him and Carl on the back upstairs porch of the apartment across the street and down several doors. They were hiding.

John's temperature continues to come up.

Monday, March 31, 1941

We washed today. John wasn't able to go to school, so I drove over to the University before twelve, got his salary checks, took them to town, deposited them, came back to school ,got Mrs. Ellsworth, his stenographer, and brought her out here for him to sign some papers, which must be in Washington tomorrow and go over some things with her. After she left and the children came in tonight they were playing at the dining room table, Jane being Mrs. Ellsworth and David Daddy-Mr. Houchens.

They went with me to drive Doris and Adrian home. Up at Steiden's there was a child who gave indications of being sick. I got them out quickly, but even so they were exposed if the child had measles or such. She coughed as they went past.

John is discouraged. He doesn't think Dr. Morse is correct in diagnosing his trouble as a throat infection.

Tuesday, April 1, 1941

146

I told Jane this morning about this being April Fools' Day and she was fooling me when she could after I gave her some pointers.

John still doesn't feel good. This morning he felt better, but this afternoon his temperature came up to 102.

The children and I were outside this morning, I raking leaves, found some kind of insect or other eggs which looked like fish roe on the underside of a plant-in some earth.

Last night I told a story to the children about a little girl and boy, who with their maid, daddy and mother took a trip east. It was our trip. They enjoyed it, of course.

Wednesday, April 2, 1941

John said that he felt some better this morning, and his fever didn't come up much above normal. Dr. Morse finally came about noon-is having him try to drain the gallbladder by taking Epsom salts each morning until Friday to see if that could be causing this trouble.

I went to the University for him this afternoon, and to town to look at slipcovers and curtain material.

Thursday, April 3, 1941

John said that he felt better this morning, although he said that he didn't feel truly completely so. This afternoon he went over to school and to the barber shop-came home in acute pain.

In pouring rain we drove out to Dr. Morse's for his seven to eight office hours. La Verne stayed here with the children. He wants him to go to the hospital tomorrow morning for x-rays. We tried to get a room at Norton (ed.-Infirmary), but couldn't but managed to get a room at the Baptist (ed.-Hospital.)

Friday, April 4, 1941

It was raining this morning. Doris wasn't due until mine, so we left the children with Mrs. Hart in order to get to the hospital early. Jane cried some when they left their daddy-they went over before we left-and I couldn't keep from crying a little bit myself.

After we reached the hospital we were assigned to room 229-second floor next to the Sun room-a six dollar room because a five dollar one-in line with John's hospitalization-was not available.

147 John had a terrible night last night. He suffered the most unbearable pain, and although the capsules that the doctor gave him finally would put him to sleep, the effect of one began to die out in a little more than two hours. The first time I went to sleep and he went full four hours without one (they were to be given every three to four hours). It was then about 45 minutes before that capsule took effect, and he had intense pain. After that I scarcely dared let myself sleep-in fact couldn't seem to sleep much, so badly was he suffering.

Dr. Morse called in Dr. Hagan in consultation this morning. They said that it would be two or three days before her they could determine the nature of the trouble-but they must make x-rays and get him ready for a gallbladder visualization tomorrow morning.

I was worried, fearing that Doris was ill, when I called home at 9:30, and she hadn't come. However she had missed a bus and finally got there. Jane also went to nursery school finally, although Mrs. Lovell found nobody here first, and came back later.

I came home around noon, ate lunch, went over to Mrs. Ellsorth and took her to the hospital for John to give her some instructions. We drove in hail on our way over. Coming back the sun was shining. I bought gasoline, Stella a dollar that I owed her, went to the grocery store-then went back to the hospital. The severe attack that John had last night seems to have worn off in part, although his head hurts and he sleeps most of the time.

Next I went home and ate a bite with Doris and the children, drove down to the Puritan and looked in on Mary Sublett's Junior Philathea dinner-then home-- relaxation, hot bath --rain outside--Doris is staying all night.

I called Mrs. Houchens shortly after seven.

Saturday, April 5, 1941

John had a lot of nausea last night as a result of the medicine they gave him for making his x-rays. I went this morning shortly after 8:30. When Dr. Morse came he still said that they had come to no decision-- were still investigating. His blood content is all right. He said to tell anyone who asks that they are still investigating the cause.

I stayed until near noon, came back by the supermarket, then the children and I took Doris and Adrian home.

We were here until 2:45, then I took the children over to Claudine's at her invitation. This was Margaret's birthday, and they cut her cake. Tomorrow they are going to Cincinnati.

148 I went to the hospital, found John, as this morning, very sick-- sleeping most of the time, interested in nothing. Harris True came by.

The children had supper at the Fife’s. I came back for them and they insisted that I eat some oyster soup.

Mother called tonight -- said that she and Mrs. Houchens are coming on the bus tomorrow.

Sunday, April 6, 1941

I had planned to go to the bus station at 11:45 to meet Mother and Mrs. Houchens. The children and I stayed alone last night. I wanted to meet the doctors at the hospital at 9:30, and since Doris wasn't due at the house until 10, I left the children at Mrs. Vanderhaar's and went on to the hospital. John seemed noticed noticeably better, more like himself from the moment that I went in. When Drs. Morse and Hagan came in they said that his gallbladder didn't seem to be functioning, that it didn't take the dye and consequently didn't show up on the x-ray. They hope by diet and rest to get it functioning sufficiently to show up on the x-rays when they make another series.

Shortly after they left I was in the Sun room while he had a bath -- when mother and Mrs. Houchens arrived, Cousin Ray having brought them. Mother, ever resourceful, had gotten off at the seminary, walked to Cousin Inez' to find Mariam sick, and they had then had Cousin Ray and Mary bring them over.

We went back in John's room. Dr. Kent came to see him bringing a pretty purple potted plant. We then went home to dinner. Shortly after we left the Fifes came by, he told us later. They were on their way to Cincinnati.

The children were glad to see both their grandmothers. After dinner we got the children ready and took them to the hospital to see their daddy. They have been begging to see him. We had instructed them so carefully in being quiet that they did fairly well for a while, but David particularly was wiggly and they both started working the Venetian blinds. So I had mother take them into the sunroom. Cousin Frank and Inez came-- then Miss Watkins and Erwina, then Harris and Thelma.

Ann Couey had offered to keep the children this afternoon, so I had Miss Watkins and Erwin drive them past there.

John's temperature started coming up, and he became restless. We left before dark, got the children, went home.

Monday, April 7, 1941

I brought Mrs. Houchens over as soon as Doris came to be with the children. John said that he didn't feel very good, even though the nurse had told Mother just before

149 we left that he was feeling better. Garnett Baden, now a doctor at Elizabethtown, came in to see him. I left Mrs. Houchens with him (I had prepared a lunch for her) and went home, ate lunch, took Mother to town on her way to the bus station.

I went to Sears Roebuck to buy a shower gift that I have to leave somewhere tonight, and to Ben Snyder's to see slipcovers, then back to the hospital. John was feeling much better-good enough, he said that if his fever stayed down for 24 hours he was coming out of there. I went home ate a brief supper, came back to the hospital and stayed until after eight, but was very sleepy.

Tuesday, April 8, 1941

About seven this morning Dr. Lovell called me to tell me that Ethel isn't having nursery school this week because of measles. Vivian, one of her children, has measles, and they gave John and Eleanor the preventive shots.

When I got over here about ten I discovered that John had had hard chills about three last night, followed by rise in temperature of course. They had put hot water bottles around him and wool blankets over him. When I got here Lillian Kemper was in the hall at the door, and Mrs. McBee was in to see him. Dr. McBee was down in the car. They had brought him to the doctor. It was nice of her to come.

I went home at noon not having seen Dr. Morse. John was perspiring a great deal.

After I got home I ran the washer, we had lunch, and I came back over to the hospital shortly after three. I went up to see Dr. Maurer who is on the fourth floor; he sent John an "Esquire" to read.

Jean, Betsy and Martha have been here. They returned home Sunday night.

Wednesday, April 9, 1941

We went over to the hospital about ten -- took the children-- was there when Dr. Morse came, but he did nothing new. John hadn’t had a hard chill last night, but had that sensation several times and his fever had come up. I came home for lunch, hurried to town to the bank, bought a birthday gift for Doris, went to the library to return some books, and came back to the University and stopped there to see Mr. Hammons and Mrs. Ellsworth.

Mr. Hammons and Mr. Ayers were in the former’s office. They talked very freely, urging us to have a consultant on John's case. They clarified what I had been thinking, and what John also had. I hurried home, ate supper quickly and rushed over to confer with John. We thrashed the whole matter out for quite a while, then I called Dr. Morse. He was agreeable to a consultant other than Dr. Hagan. We discussed Dean Moore, Dr. Kinsman and Dr. Simpson. I told him that I would call him back. I then called Mrs. Wilkinson, found that they like Dr. Kinsman. When I got back to the room

150 Dr. Morse was there. It was 25 after 10 when I got home and Mrs. Houchens was worried about me.

Thursday, April 10, 1941

I got to the hospital at 9:10 this morning. It was perhaps 10 when Drs. Morse and Kinsman came. John had had a nurse call Dr. Morse at seven this morning and have him bring Dr. Kinsman after he had a wakeful, feverish, restless night. Dr. Kinsman examined John-went right to the point, said to have another gallbladder x-ray tomorrow- that if that showed nothing to have the colon x-ray. In addition he advised having all his teeth x-rayed, and some blood cultures made. All this is to be done without the procrastination which has been typical of the last weeks, it seems. We were pleased.

I came home immediately. Doris and I washed the basement.

The children and I took Mrs. Houchens over about four. They didn't get out of the car. We found that John was already sick, his gallbladder medicine having been started.

The children and I stopped at the Super Market, came home, ate supper, went back for Mrs. Houchens about seven. John was too sick to bear having the children in there.

Friday, April 11, 1941

John has still been feeling the effects of his medicine today. This morning when I was there he was in his disinterested state. A lovely pot of flowers from the Wilkinsons- - something like marguerites-- came today.

I stayed home to do some things this afternoon, since John wanted to sleep some. We then ate early and I got back over-- no, I ate early-and went over shortly after five. He was still feeling bad when I got there, but perked up considerably.

I have taken a head cold.

A thing happened this morning which still makes me shudder. Jimmie Hart had an axe. Mrs. Houchens and Doris saw him almost simultaneously. He, Jane, David, Carl and Suzie were playing back of the Harts’. Jimmie came down with the axe right over Suzie's head into the sandbox. Then he dug holes with it in the ground. He had gotten it out of the basement without his mother's knowledge. She seemed more upset about the ground than about the danger the children had been in.

Saturday, April 12, 1941

151 When I came home last night I had the misfortune to turn over a bottle of turpentine on the rug in the back of the car. I had to buy gasoline and attempt to clean it. The smell is awful though.

This morning Mrs. Houchens and I started to the hospital but stopped long enough to take the children up to see the kicking baby in the Steiden store window, and the bunnies, chickens and ducks in the poultry shop window. I got some candy for their Easter baskets-also their baskets.

John was feeling much better. Dr. Morse, when he came in, said that John's gallbladder may have to come out, but if we can get him over this attack we may be able to have an elective operation. We (Mrs. Houchens and I) went home about noon. I washed the car after lunch, then came over here to the hospital where I am writing now.

As I left the hospital this afternoon the Roberts came. Tonight Mrs. Houchens, the children and I went back. The Ernsts had been there. We came home by the main post office to mail a letter.

David got to run the hospital elevator tonight.

Sunday, April 13, 1941

We all got ready and went to the hospital this morning. Mrs. Houchens was planning to go home on the bus this afternoon. To our surprise Estell, Martha, Bobbie, A.J., and Mother came to the hospital. We were really not expecting them. Mother and Mrs. Houchens kept the children in the car while the rest of us were upstairs and when Martha and I finally went to the car and they were all filthy, particularly David, who was unutterably greasy and dirty, having played up and down a chain there.

We came on home ahead of Estell, A.J. and Mrs. Houchens. I prepared enough dinner for them all although I had to stretch it. They had eaten sandwiches at 10:30.

After dinner Harris, Thelma and Tommie came. Mother had come prepared to stay if we needed her, but went back since John seemed better. Harris and Thelma took the children for the remainder of the afternoon.

John was rather discouraged this morning because Dr. Morse will not let him go home yet. His temperature was up to 101 again this morning.

The Fifes came to see John this afternoon.

I came on home by six, as the Trues were going to be back with the children by then.

Tired and sleepy tonight. It is good in a way not to have an extra person for we don't have to go through any trouble for our meals.

152

Monday, April 14, 1941

I took Mrs. Ellsworth to the hospital about 10 this morning. John had talked Dr. Morse into agreeing to let him go home tomorrow if he has no rise in temperature. While he and Mrs. Ellsworth were talking I went down and talked with Mrs. McCamy, Dr. Morse's appendectomy patient in room 229, the room that John originally had. She is very nice.

This afternoon we washed.

Tonight the children and I took milk in the thermos bottle, drove down to the White Castle hamburger place, had hamburgers, milk for them, Coke for me, in the car, then drove across to the ice cream (Cream Crest place) and had double dip cones for them-a Choco pop for me. They thought it quite a treat and a party. Sunday morning David got up saying that when he grows up he thinks he will run an elevator-this because he was so delighted with running the one Saturday.

While we were at the hospital tonight I took them down to see Mrs. McCamy for a moment.

Tuesday, April 15, 1941

We are happy because John got to come home today. I took Mr. Hammons and Miss Velty over to the hospital this morning.

Then, in the middle of the afternoon the children and I went for him. He was all dressed and waiting at the window. Sometime between the time that I left this morning and returned tonight a box of lovely red roses and whites snapdragons had come from his S.S. class. He gave some of them to Miss Rissey, Miss Bell and Miss Wood and Allison. There was also a Miss Davis who was nice.

Here at home I had a man chopping up the wood from the tree in the yard. He raked the yard, stored the wood that he cut up in the chicken house. The yard looks a great deal better. Sunny Hart did some of the work this a.m. too.

John is on a very strict gallbladder diet. I received a printed list from the hospital.

Wednesday, April 16, 1941

So far John's temperature hasn't come up. He has been up all of today working except for a nap this afternoon-working at the dining table, I mean.

Doris hasn't been here today, but will come tomorrow.

153 Brother came shortly before supper tonight in a very deluge of rain. He wouldn't stay to eat. He and Ermine are taking a trip to Mexico City immediately.

Dr. Ernst (ed.- university colleague, not medical doctor) was here to see John since supper.

Thursday, April 17, 1941

I drove to town after dinner (I'd gone to the grocery store this morning) to talk to the decorator at Stewart's principally. Home before four. I went out to Mrs.Fleck's, came back, went over to Ann Couey's to a G.C. open house.

Stella has been here.

I bought Jane a red sun dress-David a white short pants sailor suit. Hers is size 6, his size 5.

Friday, April 18, 1941

John went to the barbershop and over to school this afternoon-really against the advice of the doctor, although he has had no rise in temperature.

The children and I have been getting dandelions and weeds out of the yard today.

Adeline and Margaret Jack came by this afternoon-in Louisville for the day-so glad to see them.

Saturday, April 19, 1941

The day has been pretty, but a bit too windy to sow the grass seed that I bought yesterday. The children and I went outside again this morning-getting up dandelions.

This afternoon John had to go to Dr. Morse. We all went along. This morning he had gone to school.

Sunday, April 20, 1941

We did not go to S.S.-nor even get up early. I baked a young chicken, since baked white meat chicken is one of the few meets John can have.

This afternoon John thought that he wanted to drive a little, so we went out to Evergreen Cemetery to see the tulips then drove out to Cherokee Park and back. Harris and Thelma had been here while we were gone.

154 Later Jimmie and Mary Sublett came with Mrs. Sublett.

Thrill of thrills for Jane, she has a loose tooth-lower right hand central incisor. She had shed tears because Jimmie and Margaret, even Maria, were ahead of her on tooth shedding. She is afraid for us to pull it.

Monday, April 21, 1941

John had two or three fifths degree of temperature last night-the first that he is had since he came home. The doctor has him take his temperature every four hours.

I went to Ben's Snyder’s yard goods sale this morning and bought organdy for a bed spread and dressing table flounce.

Both children went to the nursery school. I let David go because he cried to do so. Doris is coming from eight until one until after the races because she is working for some woman in Camp Taylor during that time.

This afternoon we have sowed grass seed and put out sheep manure..

Jane's tooth isn't out yet.

Tuesday, April 22, 1941

The weather is too cool for the children to play outside without coats, as they did last week.

I did some sewing this morning-John was home about 1:30. He doesn't stay over in the afternoons.

I went over to Mrs. Cole's to do Red Cross sewing at three, leaving David asleep, John on the bed, Jane getting dressed. When I got back at five John had put manure on the back yard, trimmed the rose of Sharon trees and had 3/5 degree of fever-more evidence that he cannot overdo.

Jane's tooth is out. Her daddy put a thread around it and pulled it since supper. She wept considerably. I thought that the root was broken off because it didn't all seem to be there and was hollow inside, but Claudine said that Margaret's was like that too.

Wednesday, April 23, 1941

The day has been rainy-a nice, gentle rain good for the grass seed we sowed on Monday. Jane has been coughing some today and I have given her ephedrine, used nose drops, and used the croup kettle for her.

155

I have been sewing, Jane colored, and David played with some wooden trains. Jane also played with my button box, arranging the buttons like colored plates on a table. I told her that it reminded me of the way she played with buttons when we lived on Wolfe Avenue.

Thursday, April 24, 1941

Jane got her kitten from the Birtles today. The children and I went down about 9:30 and got it. There were originally three kittens-two yellow and one gray. They had sent one yellow one to the pound. I would have selected the gray one, as it was marked better, but Jane wanted the yellow one. They were born St. Patrick's Day.

It has been the chief interest all day for the children and all the neighbor children.

Jane still has a cough. The present complication is that John Lovell evidently has measles, having broken out yesterday. Since Jane and David were with him Monday I feel they have been exposed.

Friday, April 25, 1941

I sent Mother dress material for her birthday, Mrs. Houchens nylon hose.

Jane continues to be hoarse and croupy, particularly at night. She said that this is her big week. She lost her tooth, got her kitten, lost her vaccination scab today (six weeks to the day-David's was five weeks) and this afternoon got to go to the circus. John took us, Claudine and Margaret went with us.

We had to pay 85 cents each for adults, 50 cents for the children. That didn't include chair seats (grandstand seats) which would have been 75 cents each-so we sat in the general admission bleachers. As we went in a man gave our children balloons on sticks (Jane and David got "Peter Rabbits", Margaret a round balloon). Another man and a woman wanted to make their pictures for a magazine.

The bleacher seats are downright hazardous for small children. However, we managed to get through the afternoon with nobody falling off.

It is hard to say what the children liked best. Jane says that she liked the girls in spangles best, David says that he liked the fireworks display at the last best. However I am of the opinion that they liked best of all the clowns. There was one hobo clown who was excellent. The horses were very good to. This particular circus seems to specialize in horse acts.

We held the children down to popcorn-and as we came out, pineapple sherbert cones.

156 The kitten cried some last night. I got up at 12:30 went in the kitchen to get a glass of water and a spoon to give Jane ephedrine and got it aroused.

Saturday, April 26, 1941

I learned on Thursday that John Lovell has the measles-so it looks as though Jane and David have been exposed after all. They will have to be isolated from other children all this next week whether they take measles or not.

Jane read out" Kentucky State Fair" as we drove up to the grounds yesterday to Claudine's surprise. Tonight I got out Jane's picture dictionary and discovered that she can read almost any simple sentence. She is now associating the sound with the letters. I don't think she can remember how many of the words are spelled, but she recognizes them when she sees them, partly by content.

At lunch today David was telling us about a tent that he and Jimmie Hart are going to have in our backyard, that they are going to sleep in it all night, that they are going to tie down the door to keep out witches and ghosts, that they are going to have a telephone, telephone table and two directories. Talking about dreams we were and when Jane asked him if he dreamed something this afternoon David said "Heavens no. You don't dream at nap time". Jane admitted that she can "dream" things when she isn't asleep.

Clyda came by to see us this afternoon. David was pleased to see her, and rattled off a bunch of stuff about the circus to her. Clyda has lost 38 pounds.

The Coueys came by at supper time, and Jane and David rattled off a lot to them.

John went to Dr. Morse. He has lost 3 pounds this week (results of diet)-eight altogether.

Doris had a sore throat and didn't come.

Sunday, April 27, 1941

Louisville started daylight saving time last night. In consequence I got up so late that I couldn't get ready for Sunday School. John went however. Doris got here, still with a cold.

Ann Couey came by this afternoon and took the children for a drive-then the Fenwicks came, then the Roberts (although the latter didn't come in).

Monday, April 28, 1941

157 I went to town this morning, leaving instructions that the children were not to play with other children because of the likelihood that they may take measles this week. Mrs. Hart was telling me after I returned today that they played beautifully together out back of the fence.

I cut out a chambray dress for myself this afternoon.

The children and I went to Kapfhammer's for doughnuts. They are as fond of the latter as I. Poor John cannot eat them now of course.

Tuesday, April 29, 1941

I have been reading a book by Anne Parrish-"Floating Island" to the children. It is about some dolls which were shipwrecked on a desert island. They are enjoying it, and following it pretty well, although it is really for older children, I think.

So far, no measles. Since David was pretty destitute for shoes I took them on the bus to Byck's this afternoon-got white oxfords, 8 ½ D. They have to be built up for him, of course, to Dr. Wood's specifications.

While at Byck’s they rode the little merry-go-round (self-propelled) and a big galloping horse.

Wednesday, April 30, 1941

I went back to town to see about my dress and hat today (brown and white polka dotted dress with green linen jacket) which I bought at Stewart's Monday.

As yet, no measles. Jane makes a playhouse on the driveway with an Indian blanket, boxes, the kitten and so on.

Rollin Hargrove has been here tonight.

Thursday, May 1, 1941

As yet, no measles. Our new hose was delivered today and the yard and new grass seed-most of which hasn't come up got a good soaking.

Friday, May 2, 1941

Stella was here yesterday, brought the children some small trinkets. David fell backwards over his automobile while she was here and cut his head. Stella came by this morning and brought Jane a pretty mesh purse Mrs. Purdy had given her.

158 John still comes home for his lunch.

It begins to look as though J. and D. may not take measles from John.

Saturday, May 3, 1941

Today started out rather uneventfully except that the day was grand for the Derby. Doris worked from 8:30 until 10 only.

This afternoon I went to the Super Market taking Jane and David but not letting them go in. We came back in time to listen to the Derby. Whirlaway won.

Tonight after supper while I was reading Anne Parrish's "Floating Island" to the children, Jane complained that her left ear was hurting. I took her temperature and discovered that it was 100 4/5. So-possibly we are in for measles after all.

Jane surprises us constantly with her reading ability. Looking over her daddy's shoulder at the News-Hearld she read "Mr. and Mrs. John Roland" to our amazement people and a name that she had never even heard of.

Sunday, May 4, 1941

Yesterday I had shampooed the children's hair, promising them that they could go to S.S. today. Of course I told Jane last night that she couldn't go, and she cried. This morning we decided that David had better not go either, as he coughed last night. I was the only one who went. Jane seemed to feel all right this morning-was out in the backyard. This afternoon however her temperature came up over 101 and I put her to bed. She has eaten no dinner today, complaining that her tummy hurts.

I went over to the Corley’s to see their yard and to talk to Gladys about Caroline who is just convalescing from the measles. Gladys sent Jane some lilacs.

I brought them Choco pops from LaVeille's.

David complained of feeling bad this afternoon-let his head lie over, said that his head hurt-but seemed to be all right tonight.

Monday, May 5, 1941

Jane has been quite sick all day, although I have kept the temperature down fairly well with aspirin. This morning she was feeling good enough that I dashed to town to care for some matters before she gets too sick. This afternoon she felt bad when her aspirin died out, but perked up, sat up at the window and said this was the best day yet when David bought Creamsicles for them both from the Good Cheer man who started back on his rounds yesterday.

159 I talked to Dr. A. this afternoon. Tonight her temperature was 103.

Tuesday, May 6, 1941

Jane vomited this morning when she awakened. Shortly afterwards I noticed that her rash had come so I called Dr. Andrews, particularly anxious to talk to him since she complained of both ears hurting. He said that he had better see her and came on out almost immediately. He said that she has the real measles, not the German, and said that he didn't think she is going to have much trouble in her ears. However to forestall such, he wanted her to take sulfathiazole today and tomorrow. John had gone to Dr. Morse yesterday and he is having him take it, so now they are both on the same thing.

She hasn't had as high a temperature today as yesterday but has cried a lot with the itching, and I had to bathe her in soda water.

It is hard for her to pass the time, as she has to be in a darkened room and she misses books.

Wednesday, May 7, 1941

Jane cried so much this morning with the itching from her rash that I finally called the drug store and had them send witch hazel. It alleviated the irritation more than the soda water, but not entirely so. Her temperature has been almost normal today. She is supposed to have only fluids to eat. Tonight she ate a lot of canned vegetable soup, the most that she has eaten.

The county health nurse came this afternoon bringing our quarantine card, which she put on our front screen. She counted 10 days from the time when Jane broke out-the sixth-which means that our quarantine lasts until the 16th, when she will call to see whether David has taken measles or not. She suggested I try to keep Jane in bed for at least a week after the rash is gone.

Doris failed to come today. She, Adrian (her sister) and Jennie Rose (their friend who works for Mrs. Martersteck) decided that they didn't want to work today and just didn't come. I didn't know until mid--afternoon why Doris hadn't come. She called me then.

David is dreadfully afraid of the kitten. Yesterday afternoon when I was giving him a bath the kitten sauntered into the bathroom just as I was getting him out of the tub. Dripping and naked he dashed to the kitchen. If the kitten is between him and where he wants to go we have to go to his aid.

Thursday, May 8, 1941

Jane has had a much better day today. I should have told that Patty came over yesterday afternoon bringing such a nice box of cut-outs from Jimmie and a little box of

160 chocolates, sewing kit items (two spools of thread, etc.). This afternoon I let her cut out two dresses for the paper dolls, but the room is in such gloom that I banished any more cutting, as that would be as hard on her eyes as looking at books. She plays with her dolls, with the kitten.

Her rash has itched very little today. She certainly is heavily covered with the eruptions.

Doris came today.

David went to the toilet this morning. The kitten followed him in there. David got up on the tub and when the kitten stood up on his back legs to reach him David got over in the bathtub and yelled for help.

Before supper Jane wanted the kitten. We instituted a search all over the house and even in the yard for it, had virtually given it up for lost, when I opened the cabinet door and heard a little meow, and out it walked from among the pots and pans.

Friday, May 9, 1941.

I went to my club luncheon today.

Jane is feeling better, but bored.

We lost the kitten tonight found him in a shoebox in our closet.

161 Book # 21- May 10-August 6, 1941

162 Saturday, May 10, 1941

Jane is still in bed, but I talked to Dr. Andrews this afternoon and he said that she can be up in the house some tomorrow, in the yard on Tuesday, but isolated from children for 10 days.

Yesterday I brought some boxes from the attic and today David wouldn't even get dressed this morning, rather stayed in bed with Jane, the two of them selling things-a sequin collar, white fur, ribbons, odds and ends. Jane puts some of the things on and her measles rash-now going away-and the decorative effects make a very incongruous combination.

Sunday, May 11, 1941

John went to S.S. After breakfast Jane got up, came to the green chair. She stayed up on the davenport or in a chair except for the rest period this afternoon.

John took David this afternoon out to Bowman Field to an air show.

Tonight Mrs.Heitz called to say that the P.T.A, is giving a party at one o'clock at school Wednesday for all the first-grade children. I shan't tell Jane, as it would break her heart not to get to go, and I am sure that Dr.Andrews will not think it advisable.

Monday, May 12, 1941

Jane got dressed today. I went over to Gladys Corley's to lunch-15 there-then to the clubhouse to a movie showing flower arrangement-except that I stayed only long enough to get my book.

Tuesday, May 13, 1941

Jane was permitted to be outside some today. I was in town an hour this morning- instructed Doris to let her stay only one half hour. I came back along Chickadee as I went over to Mrs. Cole's to sew-saw Jane and David outback-let them take my packages in.

I was home shortly after 12:30. This afternoon I let Jane go out again-wearing sunglasses and a Mexican hat-and we planted flower seeds back of the fence.

John went back over to school after supper. I bathed the children (Jane's first tub bath since she had measles), put them to bed, then went outside to water the yard. After about 15 minutes I heard crying, and they were both at the back door. They couldn't hear the hose running and thought that I had deserted them.

163 Wednesday, May 14, 1941

The day has been cool, with rain this afternoon. Doris called and asked off to help somebody out there.

The children played outside this morning. They were back at the chicken house. David told me that they were going to live in there, and “live happily ever after."

Maria played with them a while this morning. All day they have played well together. David is about due to take the measles.

Thursday, May 15, 1941

Stella washed the kitchen walls today, got a hard fall when the step ladder slipped with her. Both Doris and Jane were in the kitchen at the time. David was in the basement with me. I took the steps in a flying leap after I heard the crash. The fall knocked the breath out of Stella, but thankfully broke no bones.

Friday, May 16, 1941

I went to town this morning to try to get a lot of things done before Doris quits tomorrow.

This afternoon the children and I walked back into the field to get the first of the field daisies. David complained of being tired. The county nurse had called this morning to say that Jane was out of quarantine, but that we must keep the card until Tuesday for David-that if he were going to have measles he would have them by then.

John went to a Georgetown meeting at Canary Cottage after dinner. The children and I were out watering the lawn and playing ball. We came in and I got them ready for bed-we had some RC Cola-and just as we were finishing Cousin Ray, Mary, Frank and Inez came, bringing lovely peonies.

David cavorted, even turned somersaults. I got them in bed after they left though- went to the basement to iron a curtain, heard David coughing, came up, found him very feverish. After Jane came home David was awake, talking about people fighting outside his window. I took his temperature and it was 102+, possibly more, as I did not dare leave it in his mouth long. There was a wind and rain storm about that time.

We suppose that he is beginning to come down with measles.

Saturday, May 17, 1941

David had a fairly good night. I have been giving him aspirin today and his temperature was lower tonight and this morning.

164 Ann Tritt has been very ill with an ear infection following a very light case of measles. It alarms me for Jane.

David is in bed of course-has been all day.

Doris stopped work today with the possibility of working for me Tuesday.

Sunday, May 18, 1941

David has felt good all day-no fever-although he has been in bed.

Jane and I went to S.S. at the 11th hour, so to speak. It was the first time for a long time that she has been.

This afternoon John took Jane for a short drive-over to Corley's. They took Caroline's little 10 cent store perfume "oil lamp" that I bought for Jane to give for her doll house.

Betsy walked over for a few minutes-didn't come in.

Monday, May 19, 1941

David has had about a degree of fever today, but feels good. I talked to Dr. A. this afternoon and he says that it may be Wednesday or Thursday before he breaks out. Today has been a disturbing day for all members of my S.S. class. The morning paper carried the news that the Egyptian steamer Zamzam has been sunk in the South Atlantic- the fate of crew and passengers unknown. On this boat was Isabella Moore, member of our class going back to Africa after furlough. The boat was sunk between Recife, Brazil and Capetown, South Africa, sometime between April 9 and 21st-the news only now leaking out (ed.- the ship was sunk by the Germans who thought it might be carrying British troops).

Tuesday, May 20, 1941

I got up at 5:25 this morning-cut flowers and arranged a luncheon centerpiece to exhibit at the Audubon Garden show.

David started getting his rash this morning, but still wasn't so well broken out tonight. I have had a hard time getting him to take enough fluids. He has had a good bit of fever and I have had to give him aspirin today to keep his temperature down. The nurse was here this morning, said that we must keep our placard until May 30.

Jane and I drove to Bickel's and Steiden's before supper-over to the flower show for a few minutes about 7:30. I was surprised to get a white ribbon-third prize. We brought Mrs. Wilcox and Carol home.

165 Jane and Jimmie Hart played this a.m. out in the field.

Wednesday, May 21, 1941

David was broken out better today, although not so completely as Jane. His temperature was down and he took orange juice all day but refused food. About five I prepared the last oranges for him until his daddy came. He wanted more juice, but went to sleep before John arrived. He awakened about eight however and I gave him his orange juice. It has been very hot today and he has been cross.

Jane has played with Margie and Maria with RC Cola for a tea party.

Thursday, May 22, 1941

We were alarmed when we got up this morning to find that David's measles had gone in. I called Dr. A. immediately and he said that was nothing alarming that it was a hearsay that it hurts for measles to go in. He said that he was evidently having a very light case but to be sure to keep him in bed for five days from the time that he broke out. In spite of the fact that until tonight at supper David has taken virtually nothing but fluids, he had only one kidney action yesterday, none last night, two today. Although he has felt a little better today than he did yesterday he has been very cross, possibly because of the heat.

Margie and Maria have been over three afternoons now to play with Jane. For two days I gave them the parties but not today-RC Cola. David's measles came back some after breakfast.

Friday, May 23, 1941

David has definitely felt better today. Tomorrow should be his last day in bed, I hope.

Jane went over to Vanderhaar's-from 9:45 to 10:30. She came back bringing flowers to David that she had cut. This afternoon she cut flowers, arranged them very attractively.

After her daddy came home she and I went to Kirch Gardens-bought a dozen petunia plants, a clump of marguerites, a delphinium plant.

She is getting upset about David still being in quarantine on her birthday. I think that I shall arrange a party for her when he is out.

Saturday, May 24, 1941

This is supposed to be David's last day in bed thank goodness.

166 I went to town while John was here this afternoon-got Jane's doll high chair which she wants for her birthday at Bill's-$7.98-an outrageous price. She has been wanting that since Christmas. Her eye-right-was bloodshot tonight-that worries me some.

Sunday, May 25, 1941

This was David’s day to get up, and he was certainly happy to be up. Since this was a special day at my S.S. and we both (John and I) needed to go, I finally got Alma Jean Corson to stay with David. He sat in the green chair all the time we were gone. He had cried and said that he didn't want me to go, but was all right from the time that Alma Jean got here.

Jane wore the yellow dress, with all the embroidery on it which Martha McIntosh handed down to her. She celebrated her birthday in her department of course. Mrs. Stewart told me that she was a little doll.

After dinner we hurried to get the house straight, and Thelma had told me that Frances Alcoke was at her house and would be here in mid-afternoon. Cousin Mary, Wallace, Frances, Dick and Harris came. Jane and David played with Dick the short time they were here-of course David couldn't go outside with them-and they all bought ice cream for popsicles from the Good Cheer man.

After they left John took Jane for a drive-to Bowman Field. David wanted his electric train and I got it out and set it up for him. Betsy and Martha walked over but of course didn't come in. They brought Jane a gift, so attractively wrapped with two yellow rosebuds. The book was "Around-the-Clock-It's Fun to Tell Time".

Monday, May 26, 1941

Jane hasn't had a bad birthday after all. She got two cards in the mail this morning from Bobbie Traylor and Clyda. I made her cake during the morning-White with pink icing. When her daddy came home for lunch he brought a darling china tea set from Margaret Fife. I made pictures of Jane after lunch, some with the cake, some without, one or two with the kitten, who posed unwillingly.

The afternoon mail brought a letter from Mother with another dollar and a package containing a chicken-fried-for Jane’s dinner. Margie and Maria came over bringing her a box of zoo soap-elephant, lion, monkey, camel and polar bear in different colors. David was disappointed because we couldn't eat the animals. He took a nap, but I got him up in time for the four of them to have birthday cake and grape popsicles on the front porch: Carl and Suzy stood outside the screen longingly.

Gladys and Caroline came by bringing Jane a little perfume bottle lamp.

167 Dorothy Summerford called to say that they hadn’t forgotten Jane, but Ann was just over the measles and she was afraid that the baby was taking them-that she hadn't had a chance to get anything.

David ventured out the back steps after supper. While we were all out there the Currys came bringing Jane a box of very nice candy.

All in all, she's had a good day.

Tuesday, May 27, 1941

David has truly enjoyed being out today. He, Jane, Maria and Ann Trittt played together this morning-even went back to the hole the older boys dug out in the field. I had to call them back, as Carl and Suzy were out there. He took a long nap this afternoon.

I had to go to Steiden's and Bickel’s after John came home. Jane was going, and David wanted to go so much that we let him, as he saw no children.

The children’s new bookshelves (made out of four Apple boxes) are a great help.

President Roosevelt declared the nation in national emergency on wartime footing.

Wednesday, May 28, 1941

The quintuplets were seven today.(ed- Dione quintuplets).

My work has proceeded well today. I even got the breakfast room table top re- painted.

Children played ball over at the Seeders' tonight with Gladys and Violet. I scarcely know what to do about their going over there.

Thursday, May 29, 1941

Stella was here, and I had La Verne come down and play with the children while I went to town to do something final about my slipcover material. Finally I bought some material at 69 cents a yard at Ben Snyder's, and then tonight at dinnertime Ms. Harman at Sears Roebuck called to say that my long-awaited material at 55 cents was there too late, of course, for me.

David has been taking naps. He looks rather pale, doesn't eat as he should. I give them both Navitol Malt.

168 When John came home we took David up to the barbershop, Jane and I grocery shopped, came home, prepared dinner, David was still in chair, so John took car came home, ate dinner, was coming back for us. We were walking, met the Seeders, they brought us home.

Friday, May 30, 1941

I had called Cousin Inez last night to see about the children and I going to Owenton with her this morning. She said that they were leaving about 8:30 or nine-- she, Cousin Frank and Mariam-- so I ironed last night, got up early this morning, cut flowers, got ready, and John drove us out there as he went to school. It had rained a little, and was cloudy, slightly cooler.

Mother was surprised when we arrived. We got there about 11 our time, ten their time. About 11 their time (Mother was seeding cherries when we got there on the side porch and we waited until she finished) she, and the children and I drove down to the cemetery to take some flowers. Then we came home and had lunch.

Cousin Inez called, wanting somebody to go to Mussel Shoals with her, so Mother and Jane went. David and I stayed at home and he rested, but didn't sleep.

When they returned at three we went down to the cemetery-saw George Redding, Caroline and Lucy Pat among other people.

Shortly before supper time Paul and Ermine came bringing flowers-rather, having brought flowers. They brought from Monterey, Mexico little brown sandals for Jane, a whip and lasso for David, sandals for me. To bed early.

Saturday, May 31, 1941

Jane, David and Tommie Ford went out to the farm with Papa late yesterday afternoon. I forgot to mention that.

John didn't come until mid-afternoon. We didn't take the children down to Mrs. Houchens’ as Mary Lou and Johnny were exposed to whooping cough two weeks ago tomorrow. John and I went down to see them, Elizabeth and Julia who were there. We came back by the cemetery to arrange some flowers Mrs. Dodie had sent-and then looked at stones-amongst others-Uncle Toby Staiar's, who lived to be almost 102.

David doesn't eat well.

Sunday, June 1, 1941

Papa took the children out to the farm again this morning. John went to his mother's for dinner.

169 Papa seems much better in general, but complained of his ear running today. Mother's ankle is giving her trouble.

Jane and David played in the water on the front walk-got plenty dirty. After I got them clean and dressed the Ingrams stopped by. Shortly after that Papa took them out to the drugstore, David wearing his sailor suit, Jane in her Martha McIntosh turquoise blue dress.

Mrs. Houchens came back with John this afternoon. Estell, Martha and Bobbie came later. Bobbie and David wrestled.

I forgot to say that John brought "Kitten-Britches" yesterday afternoon. Jane was much pleased to see him. He seems very much at home here except that we keep him in the house as he tried to go into the street-or did go, in fact-last night-to Jane's alarm. Mother tried to file his teeth this afternoon, without much success.

I brought Grandma Cobb's Buckeye bread tray back with me.

Monday, June 2, 1941

Headache on my part last night, better today-but have accomplished too little except some laundry.

Our quarantine was still up today to Jane's dissatisfaction. The nurse had told me that she would call Thursday night and give me permission to take it down Friday (the day due) as she wouldn't be on her rounds Friday since it was a holiday. Well, she failed to call. I called the county health office today. When she finally came I was in the basement, Jane on the davenport. By the time I got upstairs after the bell had rung she had taken the quarantine down, torn it into pieces, stuck the pieces in the screen door and was getting in the car. Jane started crying-said Alice Birtles was keeping her scarlet fever quarantine for a souvenir, that she wanted to keep our measles card for a souvenir and that I must paste it together.

Jane and David are invited to a birthday picnic in the park for Buddy Litkenhous tomorrow.

A gentle rain is falling tonight-do hope that the drouth is broken.

Tuesday, June 3, 1941

About 11 I took the children over to Litkenhous'. They were taking the children to Cherokee Park for the picnic. After last night's rain it was partly cloudy, partly stickily hot. After some indecision I let Jane wear her red pique sunsuit. Then I worried for her they might get too cool. However, it didn't rain while they were gone and the weather remained warm. They were back at ten of three.

170 John and I went to president and Mrs. Kent's garden party (the rain didn't fall, although, the clouds remained), La Verne staying here with the children. We were home shortly after 6:30. John went back over to school as he had to be there at a quarter of seven.

Sam and Claudine came by and took me to commencement. We left La Verne, Mary Lee, Carol, Jane and David playing games on the driveway. I left instructions that the children be in bed at 7:30.

Dr. McVey was the speaker-the talk turned out to be virtually a plea for intervention in the war.

The kitten went to the top of the cedar tree.

Wednesday, June 4, 1941

The weather is damp and cooler. Mrs. Thomas and her son came today and made our new slip covers-seven dollars for the two pieces. The children watched open mouthed this morning until Maria came over to play. Then after she left, Carl played with them. This afternoon they were at the Vanderhaaar's a while.

Since the Thomases left, Jane and David have been playing that they were Mrs. and Mr. Thomas, have cut measured and sewed the scraps.

Thursday, June 5, 1941

I went to town this afternoon, bought some paper plates and napkins, planning to have some children for Jane’s deferred birthday Saturday afternoon. John says not to have them, but I had promised Jane something when she was six.

David asked me today why Clyda didn't want to go to Marblehead-asked if she were afraid of Hitler. Now that I think of it, Clyda did stay home and pack while the Roberts and we went.

Friday, June 6, 1941

It is now almost 5. I have invited some children for tomorrow-don't know whether to invite the neighborhood children or not.

Jane and David went over to Lovell’s today to an end of the season nursery school picnic. They were there from ten until one-thirty. Now they are over at Carl's helping him eat his birthday cake. They having been away so much today I have gotten a lot done.

171 Saturday, June 7, 1941

This has been a full day. I ended by inviting the neighbor children this afternoon. The sun was shining this morning, but it became cloudy and rainy this afternoon so that we had to have the party in the house and on the front porch. They came at 3:30. Carol was the first one here. The children were Jane, David, Carol, Margie, Maria, Carl, Suzy, Ann Tritt, Martha Roberts, Jimmie Curry, Ann Summerford, Margaret Fife, Buddy Litkenhous.

The Lovell children were invited but couldn't come at the last minute. Neither could the Loring children come.

Martha brought Jane a birthday card, told her that she could use it again. Martha has a dry humor.

Margie and Marie brought her some pink socks, although they had given her the soap zoo on her birthday.

Carl and Suzy brought her a cute storybook doll, little Joan. Ann brought her a sewing set, Buddy brought her a book, "The Bluebird", a box of stationery, and a Kodak album.

Claudine and Sam stayed fortunately, as I needed help. We had them look for peanuts and animal crackers. Jimmie Curry found the most, got the prize-a box of puzzles. Then they dropped clothespins in a bottle, and Carol got the prize, a sand sieve.

I made pictures of them (after the balloons were blown up), then they had Choco pops and cake on the front porch. I had made Jane a birthday cake with pink icing and green clowns.

Ann is very shy. The sun came out enough for the pictures.

After supper we went to see Mrs. Harding and children (they are leaving Louisville tomorrow morning), then to the grocery store, then home, tired.

Sunday, June 8, 1941

All four of us for a change got to go to S.S. together this morning-the first time in months, I think. David wore his sailor suit and took his pennies from two Sundays ago- (he wouldn't send his purse by Jane that Sunday-for the Church furnace fund).

We came home, had dinner, all rested this afternoon. John went to the hospital late to see Dr. Mauer.

172 Monday, June 9, 1941

The sun was out this morning but I didn't get to wash-then it rained this afternoon.

The kitten bit or scratched Jane badly this afternoon. He was asleep on the davenport, she picked him up, got to the hall with him. I was in the bathroom facing her. Suddenly he hissed, tore at her arm, a tuft of fur fell on the floor; she dropped him screaming. I was dreadfully alarmed thinking perhaps he had hydrophobia, but have since decided that Jane suddenly hurt him somewhere badly. She had a red ribbon around his neck. Perhaps it choked him, or maybe she had a pin or something which stuck him. He has seemed normal since. I put her to bed sobbing. They both took naps (had had their hair shampooed) and in consequence stayed up late tonight.

Jane let her daddy pull her second tooth tonight. It was even looser than the first one. She had said that she would let him pull it, but when he finally got ready she cried and made such a scene that finally he had to spank her.

Tuesday, June 10, 1941

More rain today. I finally washed some pieces this afternoon, hung them outside in a lull, brought them in when it rained, took them out again. The weather is good for transplanting plants, some of which I have done today.

The children have been riding tricycles skirting the puddles out front. The 10 and 12-year-old boys were watching and egging the young ones on to go through the puddles. Carl did go through. Yesterday they played with boats in a pan of water.

Tonight I went to class meeting at Mary Holvogt's.

Mildred Scherer was graduated from high school tonight.

Paper hanger here today.

Wednesday, June 11, 1941

Still more rain today. The children had to stay in all morning, although David kept begging to go out. This afternoon they did get over to Vanderhaar's for a while.

Tonight John and I went to the A.I.E.E. dinner meeting at the Puritan. Patsy Cole was here when we left, but Mildred took over for the larger part of the evening.

The kitten deems it his privilege to get on the bed with either Jane or David after they go to sleep at night and before we consign him to the back porch for the night.

173 Thursday, June 12, 1941

Stella cleaned the house nicely today. I almost forgot to say Tuesday that Mr. Landrum finally prepared the children's room and did an exceptionally good job. Stella finished cleaning it today. It looks nice now. The ceiling is white, the sidewalls pale, blue with nursery figures.

Late this afternoon I took them to the Coueys for a moment. Ann Tritt went along. The three children rode their tricycles. When we got there Mr. Couey asked if it was the Charge of the Light Brigade.

The kitten is out a favor with me having toileted on the kitchen linoleum today, got on the table, and worst of all-killed a bird tonight.

We walked over to see the Tritt's yard after supper and she gave me some very lovely flowers.

Friday, June 13, 1941

I needed to go to town to get a birthday gift for Jimmie Curry, something for Papa, since Sunday is Father's Day, and a commencement gift for Mildred Scherer. Since there was no one to leave the children with, I let them go over to Mildred Cole’s nursery school. Neither of them wanted to go but when they came back, Jane particularly was carried away, indicated that she liked it even better than Mrs. Lovell’s nursery school, wanted to go back again, she said. John doesn't want us to send them, as Jane will be in school this fall.

Saturday, June 14, 1941

There is little trouble amongst the children since Jimmie is out at Turners' Park with his family. Carol and Ann Tritt play well with Jane and David. Yesterday afternoon they played some very interesting pretend game-- always a daddy and mother in it, of course. This morning Jane and David went back in the field with Carl and alarmed me for a while because they were down in the tall weeds and didn't call when I answered (ed.-answer when I called).

They went with me this afternoon to Steiden's, Guey's the shoe shop, Kaffhammer's and Walgreen's. They saw a bride and her attendants going in a house as we drove along Milton Avenue.

Tonight John and I went with the Roberts to the Kentucky to see Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda in "The Lady Eve" with companion picture "Topper Returns." They were both sidesplitting, although the latter was a mystery.

174 Sunday, June 15, 1941

John didn't feel equal to going to S.S. today. He has been in bed most of the day. The weather is so cool that the children and I had to wear coats, reminding me of our trip to Swampscott last year. Clyda called today and mentioned that this time a year ago we were getting ready to go.

Miss Nettie said that when they talked about rain this morning that David said, "It is just melted snow".

We have been at home all day. David napped, but Jane didn't. Afterwards we took a plate of cookies to Ann Birtles and also took the kitten down to see its mother. However, she is expecting more kittens and we didn't get to see her. Jane and David stayed to play with Alice a while-then played over at Ann Tritt's tonight.

Yesterday we stopped by Jimmie Curry's-took him a sailboat.

Monday, June 16, 1941

I went to Dr. Pickett for a check-over today-- seem to be all right except that I weighed 93 1/2 and my blood pressure was 100/60. Betty Clements stayed here with the children the short while that I was gone. When I returned they had a very elaborate set- up in the sandbox-five castles, driveways, tunnels into the castles, flowers and trees.

Tonight David told me that when he was at the hospital he bowelled in his bed-- and so he did once. That is remembering back to when he was two. Jane asked him if he ever went outside and he said yes, that I took him out in a wheel chair and put him on a blanket on the ground once-and so I did. I asked him what he wore while he was there and he said "nothing" -so he very evidently remembers.

At Steiden's the other day-Saturday-Mr. Doyle told me that a woman going out the door knew David. I looked at her, didn't quite recognize her but spoke to her and discovered that it was Mrs. Stephens who sat with her mother in the room next to David when he was in the hospital. She said that she lives at Third and Hill now. She thought that David had changed. I don't know whether it was him or I that she recognized. She also remembered Jane.

Tonight I wanted to call Mrs. Dougherty to invite Sallie Ann over tomorrow. We couldn't remember the People's last name (It is Goodwyn), but David finally said "Camera"-and the little Goodwyn girl is named Cameron. Jane remembered her name to, but David spoke out first.

175 Tuesday, June 17, 1941

Sallie Ann has been here today. All went well except that Jane didn't want Sallie to play with Ann Tritt or any of the other children, seeming to think that she had a monopoly on her.

There were a host of youngsters here all day-Margie, Maria, Ann, Carl, Suzie, Carol, Ronnie, Mary Lee.

The children and I drove Sallie Ann home after dinner. Jane fell and hurt her knee, but was, I am proud to say, very brave about it.

Wednesday, June 18, 1941

Such a day! I had invited Nancy and Gordon Brigham for today, since they are leaving on Saturday for Connecticut to be in camp all summer. Well, I awakened this morning with one of my sick headaches-- had a time-- food nauseated me all day. I ate nothing-had to take time out to vomit while I prepared their lunch. Nancy is nine now- such a nice child-they both are-and the day passed much more calmly than yesterday- fortunately. If it hadn't, I couldn't have managed, as I had to stay in bed most of the day. They all played up at Donnie's most of the day and got along beautifully it seems.

John had to wash all the lunch dishes and most of the breakfast dishes after he got home-in addition to fixing supper.

Thursday, June 19, 1941

I had a rather wakeful night, but awakened this morning with no headache but a lank stomach. I drank some grape juice and later some orange juice-lost it all. John brought Rice Krispies and toast, also coffee to me in bed and I was able to keep that down. We tried to get help to no avail. However after 10 I was able to get up and feel all right now.

However, John had a bad day, it developed, having acute abdominal pain all day. He was due to go to Dr. Morse anyhow this afternoon, so Dr. Morse thought that it was his appendix this time, had him go to the hospital for a blood count.

I had gone out to Mrs. Fleck's on the bus, the children staying at Mrs. Vanderhaar's. He and the children came for me. He took an enema, went to bed with an ice pack to his abodomen. At eight I called Dr. Morse for a report on the blood count. It was up a little, showing that he had some inflammation. However the enema had relieved him of some gas and his pain was less intense, so Dr. Morse is having us watch him through the night. He is asleep now.

Jimmie Hart has been at home today. He and the children played in the hose spray this morning.

176 Friday, June 20, 1941

John’s pain subsided during the night, and he thought that we could make it to Owenton today. Three was set as the going away time, but it was later than that. We stopped in St. Matthews at Dr. Morse's for John to have his nose sprayed out. The children and I went to Woolworth’s there to exchange a lamp shade, the kitten staying in the excruciatingly hot car with his tongue hanging out while we were in there. We reached Owenton about six.

John and I immediately dressed for the banquet. Jane and David were pleased to have Evelyn Nixon and Bobby come over bringing birthday ice cream, cake and mints, it being Bobbie's sixth birthday and his party just concluded.

The banquet was good. The food itself was all right (the ham particularly good) and the program, planned by Mary Kenney Shipp, was excellent-- there was a radio "Who am I" contest,-old photographs thrown on the slide (Brother got the men's prize, and I appeared with Mike and Dorothy Mignon. The highlight perhaps was the wedding of Miss 1941 to Mr. Alumnus, George Redding performing the ceremony. Pud Vallandingham objecting, and so on.

It was fun seeing everybody. Paul and Ermine were there-- stopped at home afterwards. A.J., Ruth, Estell and Martha were also there.

When we got home Mother said that the children had been perturbed about a dog which was killed in the street in front of the house.

Saturday, June 21, 1941

Mary Lou and the baby had a vomiting attacks yesterday, but were better this morning and John seemed to think that it was safe to take Jane and David down there this morning, so he and the children went down for dinner. I didn't go as I had things to do at home, and expect to see the folks tomorrow.

He brought them back about four and Papa took them and Tommie out to the farm.

Tonight Adeline and Alice came by to see us.

Sunday, June 22, 1941

This morning early Mrs. Houchens called to say that she, A.J. and Ruth were all vomiting, so we couldn't go down for dinner. John went down to see about them. The children went to S.S. with Tommie Ford.

We started home shortly after 2:30, as John was feeling bad. It was pretty hot. We brought Opal McFerrin back with us. David slept most of the way. After we got

177 home he and Jane played with Karol (I've discovered they spell it that way) and Ann. Before I called them in though to go to bed David vomited all over the front walk and still seems to be upset. I wonder if he is getting what the folks had.

I failed to say that John and I yesterday afternoon went down to see Mr. John Shipp, who has been critically ill, then stopped by to see the Ingrams.

Monday June 23, 1941

David was sick all night-got his sheets and pajamas down to the zero point- demanded water constantly. Jane vomited after she got up, and although she hasn't vomited any more she has been upset all day and I had them both in bed. Ate nothing until tonight had supper when they finally ate some toast and drank some milk. If John only doesn't get it-! I fear that vomiting might bring one of those abdominal attacks on him.

Tuesday, June 24, 1941

The children are alright this morning and outside. John has had a little diarrhea but no vomiting. I so far have escaped. I have been scalding their dishes, and putting iodine in the dishwater.

Today I started taking Dr. Morse's vitamin B-1 tonic again.

Mrs. Vanderhaar came over tonight bringing a new letter from her cousin in London-also cookies that Margie and Maria had made.

Wednesday, June 25, 1941

Today I got started in the recreation room, but haven't gotten it ready for Stella tomorrow.

I had to give David an enema tonight as he hadn't responded to milk of magnesia.

Thursday, June 26, 1941

Stella was here today. The highlight of the cleaning was getting the children's room straightened up, swept and washed.

I made a flying trip to town this afternoon leaving at 2:12, back at 3:45. I bought a necklace and bracelet set for the children to give Ermine for her birthday the 28th.

We stayed outside until about nine.

Friday, June 27, 1941

178 John has decided that David doesn't feel good and I have been thinking so myself. Ever since he had the measles he hasn't gained ground. He certainly doesn't eat anything like enough, and many things that he formally ate like bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon and such he says that he doesn't like now. Since his intestinal upset on Monday he has eaten principally applesauce and toast and has drunk some milk, but not his quota-this is in spite of the fact that he is getting two Squibb's thiamin chloride tablets a day, and before that, right after the measles, Navitol Malt. He sleeps several hours practically every afternoon, but doesn't always get to bed as early as he should. With this daylight saving time it is 8:30 or nine, before I get them in bed. I must stock up on oranges tomorrow. He can eat those, loves them, and they are good for him.

The children and I, with Margie and Maria, walked up to Steiden's at 5:40, Margie and Jane on their skates, and drove back with John. Jane’s skates aren't ball bearing. I think that she skates well enough to use the ball bearing ones now.

Saturday, June 28, 1941

The children and I had the car this morning-shopped at A&P, at Steiden's, the new 10 cent store next door to it, and ending by buying them a box of sparklers and a fountain at the hardware store.

We were supposed to go on a Georgetown alumni picnic tonight, in Iroquois Park. It rained, but we went on, the Coueys and Cawthornes, also several others getting there. The children enjoyed it, although they were the only children.

Sunday, June 29, 1941

We all went to S.S. Isabella Moore was in my class-the one who was on the Zamzam. We had read that she reached New York last Saturday.

Stayed for church as it was Dr. Gibson's last Sunday to preach except for three Sundays in September. The children, one on each side of me, asked so many questions that I was pretty desperate. David asked me what kind of faces the people in Europe have, and when Dr. Gibson brought the expression "new creatures" into his sermon David wanted to know what he meant by new creatures. They were both much interested in the baptistery, wanted to know why they put people under the water and when I said to wash away their sins, John said that I was getting in deep water and I tried to tell them that it was a symbol that their sins were all washed away. However since this was all in church it was rather hard.

After dinner Jane and I went to see Thelma True while John and David slept. We brought ice cream cones home, we all ate supper then went by to see Harry Davis and Mary Jones.

Monday, June 30, 1941

179 A very hot, sticky day-some rain. The Vanderhaars have a new Plymouth.

I had been promising the children to take a sun bath with them, so we all ran in the hose spray this morning and lay in the sun. The Harts being away, and the Seeders on their vacation this week gives privacy on that.

The Coueys came by tonight.

Tuesday, July 1, 1941

Mame Beckner, Ollie Woods' sister worked for me today, and is to work every other week on Tuesday. That will give me somebody every week-Stella one week-Mame the next. She spent the entire day today on laundry.

We were going out to the Lorings after dinner this evening, but before we got there Mrs. Wilkinson and Wendy (her dog) walked up. Wendy is a live-wire Airedale and came running and leaping in a fashion to frighten Kit-Ann to death. Kit-Ann wasn't one speck frightened though-spit at Wendy, scowled, ruffled up his tail. We had to put Kit in the house though to spare Jane's feelings, as she was afraid that the dog would harm the cat.

Jane made up with Wendy, played ball with her, but David wouldn't come very near. Jane has always had some fear of dogs, so I was glad to see her makeup with one.

Wednesday, July 2, 1941

Margaret Fife had called yesterday and in a very grown-up manner invited the children and me over there this afternoon about three. Sam came for us. It turned out to be a party for Margaret, with games, ice cream and cake. David wouldn’t participate in any of the games-dropping clothespins in bottles, playing musical chairs, “Button, button”(what we always called "Thimble" ). Jane won a prize in the musical chair game- a book. Martha Roberts did well in the games. David never did perk up until the refreshments were served.

Claudine’s sister Edna and her two children were there.

After we ate tonight we drove out to the Loring’s to invite them over for dinner next Wednesday night. The nice feature of the evening was that they showed us the movie of the Fourth of July picnic at the Corley’s last year-our family entering in on the latter part of it where the watermelon was eaten. David exclaimed with glee-"There’s me" when he recognized himself. Jane was in it several times. David and Judy sat side by side to view it. They are about the same age. She and Alice Redding are the only youngsters his age that he knows.

Thursday, July 3, 1941

180 This has been a sticky, rainy week. The weather cooled some today though. I went to the A&P early this morning, before John went to school. Coming back I stopped at Kernen's and got some fireworks for the children. They were much pleased, showing them off to every body. I got two aerial flash bombs, a fountain, a snake, a Roman candle, some boxes of sparklers.

Tonight Harris, Thelma and Tommie had dinner with us. Friday, July 4, 1941

The day was rainy, a rather depressing Fourth. It was nice not to have to get up early, but the children as usual got up about seven, and between them, the kitten and a fly I might almost as well have gotten up.

One year ago we were in Charlottesville on our way home from Boston.

We were invited out to Lagrange to the Redding's for dinner tonight, so we went early to see the Hitts. Mr.Hitt was fishing, but we saw Mrs. Hitt and Edward. The children enjoyed Mrs. Hitt's front porch and it had a direct view of the trains immediately across from her house.

As soon as we got to George's, David thought that we would get to have our fireworks because I had told him we would have them out there. I prevailed on him to wait until after dark.

Lucy Pat is plenty cute. She will be two in August.

David had told us that he wouldn't eat there, and almost held to it. We had a delicious dinner, fried chicken, and so on, but he ate only a biscuit and a part of his desert-meringues with whipped cream and raspberries.

About 8:45 it was dark enough to have the fireworks. John also bought a couple of skyrockets. To me the Roman candle was the only pretty thing-and the snake was odd.

We stayed until after 10, too late for the children really. David went to sleep on the way home, and we put him to bed in the sailor suit that he was wearing. It was almost midnight when Jane got to sleep.

Saturday, July 5, 1941

We have gotten some work done in the yard this afternoon.

Maria was sick last night and this morning-a stomach upset. I asked Carol to play with the children and she said her mother said that Jane was getting too boisterous which is probably true, unfortunately, for Jane is noisy. However Carol did come over and play.

181 Jane took a good nap this afternoon but David never did go to sleep. We attempted then to put him to bed early tonight but he cried so for somebody to stay with him that all quieting influence was lost. His nail biting, nose picking, not eating and so on all indicate that he isn't doing well.

Sunday, July 6, 1941

We all went to S.S.-did not stay for church. We did walk down to Norton Infirmary to see the Lashley quadruplets, John, Mildred, Beulah and Martine. Then we went out to the Baptist Hospital to see Reverend Sandusky of Clover Fork, who was injured in an automobile accident, he being a pedestrian.

We then went to French Village for dinner-saw the Roberts as we went in-ate with them in a private dining room-had a nice time. They wanted Jane to come over for the afternoon, so both children drove out with them. They dropped David off here to rest-he was very averse to it-then I took him by there about 20 of four.

About five I went over there-John followed later. They seemed to have gotten along very well until we got there-did not quite so well then.

I put them to bed at 7:30, but too little avail, as they didn't go to sleep early.

Monday, July 7, 1941

This has been a hectic sort of day with all kinds of interruptions. I received a letter from the Courier this morning saying that I had won two tickets to see “The Chocolate Soldier” because of the contest letter that I wrote them last week. After much telephoning and John going down there we were unable to exchange them for any other night other than this evening. John couldn't go because of his night class, so I prevailed on Betsy to go with me and John is going with Jean on Saturday evening.

While the children were supposedly resting this afternoon and I was in the basement watching, Jane excitedly called that somebody was coming up to our door on a horse. About then the doorbell rang. I came around the house, and it was a couple with a pony making pictures of children. I let them make the children, as they said there was no obligation-they send the proofs to the house number. The pony's name was Sally, and she was 24 years old. She was a pretty pony.

Rain fell about six, but it stopped in time for Betsy and I to go. Betty Clements stayed with the children, as Alma Jean couldn’t stay.

Tuesday, July 8, 1941

182 Jane Pickens played the feminine lead last night, Ethel Barrymore Colt the secondary feminine lead.

I had invited Margaret Fife out today as Claudine was getting a permanent this afternoon. Sam didn't get Margaret here until twelve, as she had to go to the dentist this morning.

Alan Mackintosh and Martha came by this afternoon bringing Saturday Evening Posts, a navy blue dress of Martha's for Jane, and a cute apron.

We are going to start giving the children an allowance of a cent a day for Jane to pick up pajamas, straighten her room and wash the dishes once a day-David to put on his own shoes and socks and take his exercises.

Wednesday, July 9, 1941

Stella was here today, Thelma having exchanged with me so that I could have her before my dinner guests come tonight. She came bringing David a loopity-loop plane, which he has been wanting for a long time.

Things went very well all day, except that as usual there were too many children all around-big ones, little ones and so on.

Mattie came at a quarter of four, managed the dinner beautifully. We had Doctor and Irene Bennett, Mrs. Bennett, Sr., Bobby, Dr. and Mrs. Loring. "Granny" Bennett showed her "stills" (colored) later, to our enjoyment. The children stayed up until ten.

Thursday, July 10, 1941

This is Martha's birthday, but she isn't celebrating it until tomorrow.

Yesterday we started Jane in on the dishwashing and she did nicely-doing both the breakfast and lunch dishes. This morning she did the breakfast dishes, but contrary to her usual desire to want to do them, she asked if she couldn't do them every other day. Later, she, Alice Birtles, Carol, Ann and Maria (also David) all played house in the basement. Not so long afterwards Jane came upstairs very pale, wanting to lie down. She hadn't finished her breakfast, saying that her tummy hurt. I had arranged to go to town to buy Martha a birthday gift and do some of the errands-had even asked Betty Clements to come, so I went on, as Jane hadn't vomited, although she did have 3/5 of a degree of fever. I called Betty from town and she said that Jane felt better, having vomited, so I stayed until the quarter of five bus. When I got here, John was home, Jane's temperature was 100, she had vomited again, and Betty had the fan in the window right by her, blowing directly on her (this and my going away have worried me terribly). In addition, Jane had fussed about David being in his bed, Betty had put him on my bed, he had gone to sleep and had fallen off. Then too, Jane said that Betty had let the porch be

183 full of children-Gerry, Margie, Maria, Carl and Susie. I had wanted Alma Jean, but couldn't get her.

Jane has vomited no more as yet. John called Dr. Andrews and he said to stop all foods for 24 hours and give her only fruit juices-no medication. I did give her 1 teaspoon of milk of magnesia tonight though and hope to follow it with an enema tomorrow morning if necessary. We have taken her temperature no more.

Friday, July 11, 1941

Jane seemed better this morning. We allowed her to have no breakfast except orange juice. Margie and Maria came over in the course of the morning however and they sat on the davenport with her and Margie read more of "The Two Bobbies" to her. It is the book we are giving Martha and I had read part of it to them last night.

For lunch Jane had a poached egg, toast and some milk.

Martha's party was scheduled for three, but David went to sleep, and we didn't get there until 3:30. Betsy had the house very festive and party-ish with balloons tied to the chandelier, all Martha's dolls and bears lined up on the davenport, birds that Martha had made on the curtains.

They had their ice cream and cake first. Then there were games. Jane and Margaret practically tied on the donkey’s tail game, but Jean decided that Jane was a little nearer. They both got prizes, Jane a coloring book, Margaret a "Cum-Back".

Later they went in the yard and made pictures of them.

We had to come home then as we were going to the Cooke's picnic (Berean Class). The Cookes have a lovely estate and the evening was perfect. The men played softball until the dinner bell rang. The children were interested to see the bell, and Mrs. Cooke showed it to them. David was much interested and while we were eating asked if that bell would crack like the Liberty Bell.

We had fried chicken, ham on buns, country ham on beaten biscuits, potato salad, cottage cheese, baked beans, mixed vegetable salad, pickles, milk for the children, bottled drinks for everybody, peach ice cream from Ehrmann's, cake -- all delicious and abundant.

David also wanted to know why we didn't have a big house and a backyard like the Cooke’s. After eating we visited his lodge near the stables, and the stables to see his show horses.

Still later the children and I viewed the flower garden with Mrs. Cooke and others. The children were tired than and we came home.

184 Saturday, July 12, 1941

We had rain this afternoon, making it seem very doubtful that John and Jean would get to go to the amphitheater but it cleared off and they got to go.

John did the grocery shopping this afternoon.

Sunday, July 13, 1941

We went to S.S., but didn't stay for church. After dinner was over and the children had rested we went first by Carl Fronabarger’s to see their baby since the Fronabargers are leaving Tuesday to go to Springfield, Missouri to live.

And we drove out to Turner's Park to see the Harts. Only Sonny was there when we arrived, the others being out in a motor boat. When they returned the children were delighted to see Jimmie. Mrs. Hart insisted that we eat a bite with them, and that we then go out in the motorboat. We all stationed ourselves and the boat wouldn't start. Nothing would make it ignite, so we had to come home, to the children's disappointment of course.

Kit-Ann was in the car all that time.

Monday, July 14, 1941

I washed a mammoth laundry today. After lunch I excused myself from the table, went to the basement, telling them to go along to bed when they finished. I suppose I relied too much on them, for it developed that they both got on my bed on top of the green ruffled bedspread that Stella worked on one hour last week, David with a jelly sandwich, Jane with a peanut butter. Blackberry jelly and greasy peanut butter were all over that spread. I was so tired and head-achey.-so provoked, that I spanked them both soundly, told them that they both had to sleep until five, go back to bed at 7:30, and that they couldn't go out of the yard when they did get up. Well they both did the unheard-of thing of sleeping from two until five.

Shortly after five Mr. McCrocklin, a neighbor up the street, came to my door and asked if a woman had come here to use my telephone. I had had a headache and had lain down with a sign on the door, “No Peddlers-No Ringing of Bell", and nobody had been here. He said that it was his wife's sister and she was mentally off-not violent-but always trying to escape-they are keeping her for the present-that when she does she always calls the church and asks them to come for her-that she had done this this time, had told them she was on Teal Road but didn't know where so the McCrocklins were out looking for her.

Then it registered with me that I had seen a woman cross the Seeders’ front lawn, so I told him that. He went over there, in a moment ran over toward the Scharre’s and

185 caught the woman on the Scharre’s drive. She let out a bloodcurdling scream which split the heavens and brought everybody on the block out. Then they brought her up the street and she was railing about not being crazy and about how they were persecuting her.

Mrs.Seeders is terribly unstrung about it-the woman had been there fifteen or twenty minutes.

Jane couldn't go to sleep tonight and I think that was instrumental.

Tuesday, July 15, 1941

Mame has been here today. She cleaned the house, almost finished the ironing.

Out at Breitenstein's this afternoon John weighed 157 1/2, I weighed 96, Jane weighed 45, and David weighed 37 1/2. Margie and Maria were with us. Margie weighed 63, Maria 46.

Wednesday, July 16, 1941

This morning David at breakfast asked, "If you see God, do you have to go up in Heaven and do a lot of hard work for him?” I asked him where he got that idea, and Jane said that she told him.

I meant to take the children to town this afternoon to get Jane some new shoes, but a rain came up, and I was afraid to start with them. They were fairly well reconciled. I told them that we would go tomorrow morning.

Thursday, July 17, 1941

The children and I did go to town on the 20 of ten bus. It was Jane's first time to ride the bus since she was six-hence to pay fare.

John picked us up at 12. I bought Jane shoes at the Boston -- black patent leather, size 12 ½ A-with heels-the first that she has had. She contended for white ones until she tried these on -- then she wanted them. They are nice shoes -- were supposed to be $4.50 ones reduced to $1.98. There was a pair of nice oxfords in size 13A which I decided to have sent out this afternoon as they had the same reduction, and as the saleswoman said, Jane will grow into them. Things are going up so. They were Buster Brown shoes that she bought, and they both got balloons-and David's got bursted in the ten cent store.

I bought a wooden salad bowl.

They both napped this afternoon.

186 Tonight we had an excellent picnic supper over at the Couey's, they going along. David ate more than he has -- charcoal grilled steak sandwich, a hot dog, baked beans, pie.

Friday, July 18, 1941

I have been working as much as possible today on my S.S. Lesson for Sunday. The Vanderhaar children wanted Jane to go over on Sora (ed.-Road) with them to call on some grown-up friend of their mother’s from Philadelphia. Gerry and Margie went on their bikes, Jane and Maria on their tricycles. I didn't let David go to his dissatisfaction. When he was so unhappy I asked Carl and Suzy to come over and I made them some Kool-Aid. They had their party on the front lawn.

When Jane returned she brought a corncob pipe which the woman had given her, also a small "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" figure. They had played games and they had a good time.

The rain poured tonight. I wonder about the amphitheater. We all -- children and kitten included -- went to the A&P during the rain.

Saturday, July 19, 1941

We went to the Speed School picnic in Iroquois tonight-rather this afternoon about four-going first to the top of the hill, then back to the bottom by the baseball diamond, then to the top again to eat. Mrs. Fowler and Dean Jackson were there. We were invited to a buffet supper at Mrs. Fowler's tomorrow evening in his honor, but cannot go. Jane and David had a number of children to play with-Martha Roberts and Betty Trosper their age -- older children Ann Trosper, Bobbie and Dick Ernst, Bobbie Bennett, Donnie and Martha McIntosh.

We discovered that the children were running around and close to trees which were encircled by poison ivy.

It is disappointing that Jane and David will eat so few of the foods served when we eat out. We had Italian spaghetti, which they wouldn't eat, nor the vegetable salad- nothing much, in fact, except the ice cream roll.

Coming home we heard an announcement on the car radio about a fire at the Masonic Widows and Orphans Home which upset Jane considerably.

Sunday, July 20, 1941

We arose early, as I had to teach my class. We got to S.S. fairly much on time and I got through with the lesson. Then we dashed on, to Carrolton, stopping en route at Heitzman's for the buns. On our way through St. Matthews we went by the Masonic Home and it looked peaceful and serene, not burned at all.

187

We reached Butler Park about 12:20, I should say. It is a nice place with a lake for swimming. The motorcycle club of Louisville was having a meeting there for the day, which upped the already teeming crowd considerably.

Papa, Mother and Anna Mariam Alexander from Clifton Hill, Missouri were along, as well as Mrs. Houchens, A.J., Ruth, Mary Lou, the Traylors, the Marstons, Wilhoites and three Dotys. We had a nice time. I sat on poison ivy while we waited for the motorcycle races which never did start. I had taken Jane's and David's swimming suits, not knowing about the lake, but when Mary Maline, Sandy and Bobby went in Jane and David were so disappointed that I finally let them go in. Jane wearing an extra pair of David's white underpants, he wearing a pair of Bobby Traylor’s white ones. It made the day complete for them.

We didn't reach home until 8:15, utterly exhausted. Kit-Ann seems glad to see us.

Monday, July 21, 1941

Jane is eating tomatoes some this summer. That is one accomplishment.

Donnie Moore played down here this morning and was so anxious for the children to play up at his house this afternoon that he came back for them before they had their lunch and again shortly afterwards even though I told him that they had to rest until two or thereabouts.

I did take them at 2:30 and they stayed until around five. The housekeeper next door sat with them.

John taught tonight, but went over with Dr. Litkenhous so that the children and I could have the car and we went out to see Clyda, stopping on the way to leave some pictures at Doris’ house.

Clyda was up at Ages', rejoicing with her boyfriend Alton over the laurels won in the golf tournament at Tacoma, Washington. They both came down. Clyda has lost about 49 pounds.

I got the children's pony pictures back today

Tuesday, July 22, 1941

We played the symphonies this morning. I must do them more often. Ann Couey came by while we were playing them. Ann Tritt was with the children-then Lenora called to ask if Buddy and the children could play together. He did come over to stay until 12. Jane and David took a shower under the hose. I joined them after Buddy left. They are getting rather brown, I am glad to say. Jane always gets beautifully browned,

188 but David is browner than usual. Sunday in the lake at Carrolton he almost got a sunburn.

Betsy and Martha came over this afternoon and Buddy came back.

We had to go to Steiden's for some meat after John came home. David had such a spell about buying all the chewing gum and things that he saw that we have decided to let him have the thing he wants until his allowances gone-and do without until he gets more money.

Wednesday, July 23, 1941

John went to Cincinnati with Dean Wilkinson today, leaving at 6:15. Having the car, I took the children to the wading pool at" Trescent Hill", as David says, taking Betsy and Martha with us. The children of course enjoyed it greatly and we had difficulty persuading them to leave.

This afternoon I took them to town, chiefly to the P.O. -Agricultural Department to take a sample of our soil in. I took them in the 10 cent store, but David didn't want everything since it has to come out of his allowance. They both took their allowance money to town. Jane had 15 cents. When she got out her white purse she discovered five cents in it, making her twenty cents in all. I got David's zipper purse downstairs and it had a cankered nickel and two pennies and it. That amount added to the 10 cents he had made him 17 cents. She carried her white purse, he firmly clutched his little purse. It was hot, and they wanted Coca-Cola's, so we went in Walgreens, and they each counted out their five pennies and paid their own bills. They were so sweet about it that I bought them 10 cents worth of candy. David held out for orange slices additional, so I let him buy one cent’s worth out of his money. He now has a balance of 11 cents, Jane of 15.

John arrived home between seven and eight.

Thursday, July 24, 1941

Stella was here. I had Verna Tucker and Ann Poindexter for lunch. Verna came bringing Jane a cut-out book and David a ball and marbles -- then this afternoon she gave them some cute little items for their collections -- a little girl with a head on an elastic for Jane, a dog in a shoe for David.

Friday, July 25, 1941

I washed today, the sun beaming at the time. However before I finished hanging out the clothes it rained and from then on I shuttled them back and forth from the basement according to the rain or the sunshine.

189 This afternoon I made Benedictine cheese sandwich spread plus an apple sauce cake. We finally got off to the Junior Philathea picnic about six. The children had other youngsters to play with, and Jane played on the see-saws with the little girl in her S.S. class, while David enjoyed the slide. He is rather afraid of the see-saws and the swings.

Afterwards, I walked with the children over alongside the amphitheater but what they saw of "Irene" was very little and very poorly centered.

Saturday, July 26, 1941

We got off to S.S. earlier than usual. Isabella Moore was in my class, talked to us and many visitors of her adventures on the Zamzam. I sat spellbound during the entire time, I think.

Well, that's the one time in all the more than 4 ½ years that I've been writing this that I almost missed today. I started to write Sunday instead of Saturday -- this is Saturday!

Today's highlight has been John bringing home a new camera which we have needed deplorably for oh, so long. The bellows on the old one is worn out, and the Kodak itself almost an antique, for I have had it since I was about fourteen, I suppose. I am 37 now (as Jane tells all through the neighborhood) and the camera was secondhand when Brother bought it for me.

While I was going to the grocery store this afternoon and John was cutting the hedge next to the Hart’s David got a terrific fall. He caught his foot in the tall grass over there and fell headlong, stripping his forehand and nose. John said that he started to stiffen out and wall his eyes. He ran in the house with him. Mrs. Tritt is a nurse, and as last summer when Jane got hurt, ran over to minister to him. He was all right when I got here except were some burned places.

Sunday, July 27, 1941

Well, here we are on Sunday in its right place.

As I said yesterday, Jane has been anxious to see Isabel and I brought her in after class to see her.

We went to church but the children were restless, John went out with them, and I was the only one who remained to hear Dr. Yates.

190 We had dinner at Chimney Corner in the Henry Clay Hotel. The children wanted to see the swimming pool and we went down there before we ate.

Even though the heat was intense, we drove to Charlestown after dinner. It was interesting, but too hot. We went in one of the new trailers for rent of which there are hundreds, most of them occupied, priced at $1585. It was the last word in efficiency but I thought we would all have heat prostration before we got out.

On our way back we stopped at a skating rink for a little and watched some very finished skaters, but it was too hot for anything. We came home to find the thermometer outside standing at 100. In the house, closed with shades drawn, it was a mere 90.

Monday, July 28, 1941

Jane became very feverish about one o'clock last night-temperature of 103. That continued until we gave her aspirin. It went down some but she complained of her tummy hurting and had a headache. We talked to Dr. A.-he said that it was all over town -- to give her aspirin to reduce her temperature, fruit juices, the latter restricted to orange juice if she vomited.

She didn't vomit all day-- temperature 103 again at 12:30 when John came home and I went out Preston Street Road for my drivers license. However, since late this evening she has seemed better, temperature more nearly normal tonight, although she has a degree or more. I gave her 1 teaspoon of milk of magnesia though and she vomited tonight. She had diarrhea-like movements.

David went to a show-three cents admission-that some children gave at a house back of us on Chickadee. It was funny to hear him tell about it when he returned.

Tuesday, July 29, 1941

Jane seemed some better this morning. Mame was here. I called Dr. Andrews to tell him that Jane wanted poached egg on toast. He said that she couldn't have it-that she could have nothing but dry cottage cheese, banana and Jell-O for three days after her stools return to normal.

She has required a lot of attention all day and as afternoon came on and the thermometer again hovered around 101 her stools seem to become more frequent. The Dotys (Mr. and Mrs.Horace) and Sue Catherine Ransdell came about four, before I was dressed. Jane was particularly trying from then until dinner time. John called Dr. Andrews again and he said to give her one half teaspoon of paregoric three times a day. She vomited the first that I gave her, but we finally got it down her.

191 I hadn't planned to go to the amphitheater with the folks tonight but John insisted that I do so. I hated to leave Jane, but Alma Jean Corson was engaged to stay with her and she is unusually good. So I went to see "Three Waltzes" with them. We called at the intermission to see about Jane.

Wednesday, July 30, 1941

John, David and I slept on cots on the porch (front) last night-Mrs. Jackson's wide cot for David and me and the Fife’s canvas one for John. The Dotys left about 9:30 this morning.

Jane has had three doses of paregoric today, and two small bowel movements. Her temperature rise was about 1° this afternoon, also yesterday, as compared with 103 Monday. She has taken a little Jell-O and orange juice today. Today has been insufferably hot.

Jane is looking very thin and big-eyed. I gave her a sponge bath, and it is surprising how much she has lost.

Thursday, July 31, 1941

This was Maria's birthday, as well as Betsy's and Bobby Traylor's. Jane and David were invited over to the Vanderhaar’s for lunch, but of course couldn't go, Maria and Margie brought the former's birthday gifts over this morning. I had Jane out there in a steamer chair, and we gave Maria what we had for her. The little pump wouldn't work.

Jane has had no temperature rise today. She has been sitting up or walking around a large part of the day, but looks like a big-eyed shadow of herself.

I forgot to tell yesterday that I sent John by Betsy's and borrowed Martha's records of "Winnie the Pooh" and "Lullabies of Many Lands". Betsy also sent Martha's book "Winnie the Pooh", so I devoted a good bit of yesterday in reading to them and playing the records, although I also washed some of our numerous sheets and towels of these last days in the afternoon. She had been on the porch yesterday.

Her daddy brought home a new orange juicer yesterday and they both liked that.

Today I have managed to get her to eat a little banana and some Jell-O, by feeding it to her. She has also had orange juice and ginger ale. Tonight at dinner I went against doctor's orders and served her some clear skimmed beef broth, and tonight when she went to bed on the porch I gave her a cracker, when she said that she wished it was breakfast time. Then I relented to the point of letting her have three more.

She and her daddy slept on the porch last night and will again tonight.

Friday, August 1, 1941

192

I gave Jane dry toast with jelly for breakfast-and orange juice-then more dry toast with jelly, and orange juice at 10 o'clock. Then at noon I gave her clear beef broth, crackers, poached egg on toast, lime Jell-O and milk for the first time. She drank 2 cups.

Tonight I let her have canned vegetable soup (I doubted the advisability of this, but she loves it) and grape sherbert (homemade) with cookies. Just now as she was going to bed I gave her sherbert in ginger ale, making a soda.

She looks so pitiful and big-eyed, so thin, that I feel like crying when I look at her. We drove out to Breitenstein's before dinner, and whereas she weighed 45 on July 15, today a little more than two weeks later, on the same scale she weighed 42.

She didn't take a nap this afternoon, although I kept her in bed most of the afternoon. Yesterday she took a good nap.

They both went to a show this evening over at the White's -- admission five cents for both of them. It was cute to see them all go-Margie, Maria, Carl, Suzie, Mary Lee and Jerry, Jane and David and of course others.

When we came back I had to give Jane an enema, as she hadn't had a movement since Wednesday.

I forgot to mention Wednesday that I gave Jane a book titled "Fun for Stay in Bed Days" that day. I had it here, and thought she might as well have it then.

Saturday, August 2, 1941

Jane ate the biggest meal today at dinner that she has had, I think. In addition I gave her a 10 o'clock meal of toast and milk with some raw egg in it. This afternoon David climbed up on the side of the steamer chair (folded), tore it down, I spanked him, and they both took long naps. Then we went to Kroger's (the new one) and the A&P- didn't get home until about 7:15.

Jane has had two movements today, whether as a result of last night's enema or not, I don't know. At any rate they seem to have that sort of diarrhea odor, so tonight I gave her 3 teaspoons of milk of magnesia and David two teaspoons.

This is election day. Early returns indicate Brother is defeated.

Sunday, August 3, 1941

Jane had a movement at midnight, one after she got up this morning and still another after her lunch (dinner). Of course she had the milk of magnesia. Still, too often she complains of stomachache when she eats.

193 We went to S.S., came home afterwards.

This afternoon we made some pictures of the children and kitten in the front yard. John had also made one of David out under the hose about Monday, I suppose it was.

Tonight at 7:30 all of us went over to the Litkenhous'-the Fifes, Roberts and Mr. Amidon also being there. We saw movies of Buddy’s birthday-also other movies. The children all had a big time.

Monday, August 4, 1941

Dorothy, a girl who stays at Mrs. Peters’ stayed with the children this morning while I went to town.

This afternoon Sam Fife came for them and took them over to his house at three for a show which Margaret, Barbara and Marjorie Pierce were giving in the Fife’s basement.

Tonight while John was teaching his last class of the summer we walked over to Betsy's to return Martha's records which we had borrowed last week-then stopped to talk to Mrs. Wilkinson and Wendy as we returned.

Tuesday, August 5, 1941

Jane and David went down at 10:15 to play with Patricia and Roberta Dickinson on the corner-children of an army officer. I told them that they might stay until 11. They didn't return until 12, said that they had been for a walk with Janet Bierbaum, her mother and baby sister. I told them that they must pay me one penny each from their allowance for the hour, so Jane has already paid me hers. The allowance money is helping to keep them in line.

This afternoon I went to town again, Dorothy from Mrs. Peters staying here again.

Wednesday, August 6, 1941

The children played out in tubs of water this afternoon. After dinner this evening a typewriter man was here, then we went by for me to ask the palmist up on Preston Street for an interview to write her up, then by the Fifes, then the Summerford’s and Curry’s to leave some negatives. Jimmie is sick tonight.

Jane started her dishwashing again yesterday. She came in at dinner time tonight saying that Mary Lee had told her that Carl and Suzy had gone to a "concentration camp." When I asked Mary Lee, she didn't even know what a concentration camp is, so that is merely a figment of Jane's imagination.

194 Book # 22- August 7-October 18, 1941

195 Thursday, August 7, 1941

Mother sent a card requesting that we be thinking of letting David come also.

Stella was here. Jane has been begging me to let them have their lunch outside all summer, so I let them today, and such a mess of things as they carried out there to make their house--dolls, wagon, flower pots, et cetera.

They were down at Patricia and Roberta Dickinson's on the corner to play this evening. I went for them, met Mrs. Dickinson. They are Army people-probably reservists-since she said that they were here for only a year.

Friday, August 8, 1941

I had asked Patricia and Roberta to play here this morning, so they came from 10 until 11. I made my first picture with the new camera in the sandbox --doubt if it will be any good.

I had made an appointment with Dr. Walker for 2 and 2:30 for the children, so we had to rush to make it. I wanted us to take the 5 of 2 Audubon bus. As I can walk faster than the children, I told them to walk on down in front of Dickinson's and wait for the bus, telling the driver I was on my way. I was coming down the hill as the bus arrived. Drawing nearer I heard the driver and passengers in gales of laughter at something the children said. When I breathlessly got there, they said that David had told them to wait for Mother, that she was taking a bath.

Dr. Walker took David first and he had no cavities. He didn't have to clean them although he said that they were a little dirty in the back where he evidently hasn't been reaching his toothbrush. Jane was next, and I held my breath as it was longer since she had been there. Hers needed no cleaning, and she had no cavities. I was most pleased and thankful. Dr. Walker didn't even charge anything.

We then got on the streetcar and went to town, going first to the Boston where we exchanged Jane’s shoes for a different type-size 13 A-then to the toy store-Sutcliffe's, where we bought a Tumbling Tim for Mary Sue’s baby's Christmas gift --then, amid what threatened to be a cloudburst at any moment, we stopped at a 10 cent store, bought Maria another pump-then on to the Rialto just one lap ahead of the storm, reaching there at 4:20. I called John and asked him to pick us up at 7:12.

The picture was Abbott and Costello, in "Hold That Ghost" and The Dead End Kids in some secondary attraction. The first, in spite of being funny, frightened Jane some. I think they like the second one really better, but David became tired before it was over. We bought hamburgers on the way home.

Saturday, August 9, 1941

196

Jane didn't sleep well last night for some reason-was awake for long stretches. I finally gave her an aspirin, but even so she arose when I did, until I sent her back to bed. She is proud of the shoes that she got yesterday.

Papa and Mother were here shortly after we finished breakfast. The day has flown. Mother and I went to Kroger's while Papa stayed here with the children. Then we had lunch, took Jane to Dr. Andrews, while Mother did a little shopping. Jane was 47 inches tall and weighed 44 ½ pounds, so she has evidently gained most that she lost back. He found her all right, said that she might have a tummy ache for some time when she eats as a result of the attacks she has had this summer. She has a bad sort of stomach ulcer her in her mouth. He gave me three packages -physician samples -of thiamin chloride tablets (vitamin B1) to give her twice a day. I discussed the Schick test with him, but didn't have him give it to her.

The children and I then walked up to Stewart's to meet Mother and John. I dashed over to Kaufman's to get a pattern, as they didn't have the right size at Stewart's.

We came home and between five and seven. Papa and John went with Cousin Ray and Mary over to Charlestown. We had started eating before they returned. They ate-- and John took Papa and Mother to see "Rio Rita" at the Amphitheater. I put the children to bed.

After Mother came we told David that he could go home with her too, so he came to me and asked me this afternoon if I was going to cry. We talked about it, and I didn't know that he was thinking so seriously about it until he told me that he might not go, so that I wouldn't cry-so now he says that he isn't going.

Sunday, August 10, 1941

I slept with Jane. She was awake again last night for a while at least.

John went to S.S. at 10:00 or shortly after; Billie, Emma Alice, their two babies and Cousin Mary came to see Papa and Mother. The children are sweet. They left at 11, and we drove to Fort Knox. Jane was afraid out there, and David almost vomited coming back. We ate dinner at the French Village, not getting in there until after 1:15.

When we got home I packed suitcases for both children. Several times we had David in the notion to go, but more often he said that he wasn't going, and in the end he wouldn't. In the general excitement Jane also cried, saying that she wouldn't go if David did-, that they both mustn't leave me. Finally we let them get away without Jane’s suitcase, and John had to mail a box of clothes to her tonight as we went to church.

197 Monday, August 11, 1941

David has played with Carl, Suzy and Ann Tritt. John went to Cincinnati. I needed Certo to make jelly, so David and I went up to Steiden's, he riding on his tricycle. We went in the drugstore and had Cokes.

We didn't have dinner until seven thinking maybe John would get here. I walked over to Widgeon to mail a letter to Jane. David stayed with Mr. Seeders in his yard. Kit- Ann had tried to follow us to Steiden's, and I had to take him home. This time he followed, stayed down at the Birtles’, and I had to go for him.

John called from Carrollton-didn't get home until after 10.

Mrs. Williams brought over some pretty hair ribbons for Jane tonight.

Tuesday, August 12, 1941

Mame was here today. A card came saying that Jane is sleeping and eating fine. Even though I have a bad boil on my left hip, I took advantage of Mame's presence and went to town to shop for winter coats this afternoon-found one for John's approval at Kaufman's-a Townley coat-$49.95-tannish-brownish sportcoat- belted model-with raccoon collar-the kind that will go out of style.

David slept all the time that I was gone and for a long time after I returned.

He told me last night that he saw a puncher thing at the 10 cent store when we were in there yesterday like the paper boy has, which he wanted, so his adoring daddy took him up there before dinner and bought it. Today he has taken David over to school so that I can go to bed early.

Wednesday, August 13, 1941

David played over at Carl's this morning. Sally Ann was there.

After dinner tonight he went up to Donnie's for a while-had such a good time that he wouldn't even go to Jimmie Curry's with his daddy.

Mother writes that Jane is all right.

Thursday, August 14, 1941

David played at Donnie's again this morning, Carl and Donnie playing with him, first here on the porch.

At 20 of 4 David and I went in town to meet Daddy at 4:30 to have him look at the coats I was considering at Besten's and Kaufman's. Afterwards we went in the 10

198 cent store and as usual David wanted everything that he saw. He had only seven cents left of his allowance, so had to content himself with five cents worth of Mexican jumping beans, although he held out for an airplane.

Friday, August 15, 1941

This was Gerry's birthday. We sent him -- David taking them over -- some jumping beans also-and a magazine.

David played over there-came home at lunchtime saying that Gerry had hit him in the stomach and it hurt. I thought little of it-gave him milk of magnesia before lunch-3 teaspoons- because he had been constipated.

Then, my boil continuing to give me a lot of trouble, David and I went with John when he came home for lunch to Dr. Kerr's office, Dr. Kerr opened it up, cleaned it out and bandaged it. It hurt dreadfully. David had complained of his stomach hurting even while we waited. We came on home on the bus, and for the rest of the afternoon he had some sort of intestinal disturbance which gave him spasms of pain about every five minutes. I feared appendicitis, especially since I had given him a laxative. I talked to Dr. A.- he said that it sounded like an intestinal disorder such as is going around-- to give him a saltwater enema three times a day, keep him on liquids for 24 hours-and he was skeptical about our taking him out of town tomorrow. David had a good bowel movement even prior to the enemas which we gave him since supper. Not until he had that did he seemed to relax completely and go to sleep.

Saturday, August 16, 1941

We had a busy time getting ready to go to Owenton. I canned what tomatoes I had on hand, made peach butter out of what peaches I had, made cookies to take to Jane, ironed, entertained Gerry, Marie, Carl and David. We finally got away for Owenton about three. When we were ready to go we couldn't find Kit-Ann. We looked all over the house thinking that he had slipped inside. I called and called, finally put food on the porch for him, and then discovered him lying limp as a dishrag under the shrubbery by the garbage pail-so we stuck him in the car brought him with us. He jumps out of the car every time we stop and open the door.

Near Simpsonsville we saw the remains of a bad wreck-where a car and truck had crashed and burned-even burning the grass along the side of the bank.

When we reached Owenton, Papa, Mother and Jane were just walking home from town. Jane looked thin and big-eyed, although Mother said that she had been eating well all week. Mother had her hair dressed differently. I think that had something to do with it.

David has complained some of a tummy ache today, so I'm holding him down on food.

199

Mrs. Houchens, Ruth, Mary Lou and Johnny were here tonight. The latter is walking now -- very cute.

Mother kept a sort of diary of Jane. On Sunday night she went over and played with Bobby Nixon after she had lunch. On Monday she played with Shirley Ann Sale at Mrs. McPherron's some. Then she and Mother rested after Jane's bath and went to the P.O. to mail me a card, stopping for an ice cream cone.

On Tuesday, August 12, Jane swept the porches for Mother, played the piano, crayon colored some. After lunch they rested, then went to the P.O. again to mail me a card, and to get a net for Jane’s hair. Papa brought Jane another ice cream cone. Mrs. Houchens called after she got home from the Association. Bobby Nixon came over later and they ate watermelon. Jane then took some watermelon to Shirley Ann. Papa and Mother were out front.

On Wednesday they all went out to the farm in the morning, and Jane played with Dorothy and Junior, then went to the orchard with Mother to get apples.

On Thursday she played with Bobby. In the evening they drove down to her Granny Houchens’.

Sunday, August 17, 1941

We didn't sleep well last night because of so many mosquitoes-John was in a hurry to get to his mother's this morning, so he and David went on down while I stayed here to dress my boil (and almost got sick doing it). They came back about 11:30, and Jane and I went, taking Kit-Ann along. Mrs. Houchens was at home alone.

John started back about four, taking Mrs. Botts and a Chapman girl as passengers. We sent Kit-Ann back too, as he has already had two narrow escapes at Mother’s, running across the street. Jane cried about her daddy going, so Papa drove us out to the farm.

Paul and Ermine came over tonight.

Monday, August 18, 1941

I have been lazy today-slept late this morning, slept this afternoon a little bit. I went to Dr. McBee and had him clean out my boil -- think it will be all right now.

The children played beautifully together this morning-most of the time with wallpaper cleaner and toothpicks.

They have been with Tommie Ford some this afternoon.

200

Tuesday, August 19, 1941

Jane and David played with Nancy Jane and Bobbie Nixon here this morning. The girls washed Gay, and the boys played with the Mexican jumping beans.

This afternoon Nancy Jane, Jane and David went out and bought popsicles for the two former but David, suddenly very stingy with his allowance since he wants an ice truck, only bought himself a sucker. Then Papa took the three of them out to the farm. When they came back they went uptown again but this time I accompanied him for safety's sake.

Gypsy was here this afternoon.

Mrs. Botts returned from L-ville-said that Kit-Ann vomited on the trip back- jumped out several times.

Wednesday, August 20, 1941

Nancy Jane played here all morning with the children. After lunch we drove to Mrs. Houchens’ because Aunt Jettie, Elizabeth, Julia and their children were there. Jane and David had such a good time playing with Larry and Mary Maline that I left them there when I had to bring the car back to Papa, and they came on later with Aunt Jettie and Elizabeth.

I stopped to see Miss Martha.

Thursday, August 21, 1941

I have been reading a diary to the children since we have been home that I kept when I was 10 years old. They have been as entranced with it as with "Winnie the Pooh" or any other storybook, and have developed quite an interest in the persons about whom I wrote.

This afternoon we drove to Williamstown all of us. Jane was very anxious to see the school where I went. She had seen it before but wanted to again. It is gone to ruin practically although they still have school there. She also wanted to see the house where Bessie Coleman lived, because I have referred frequently to Bessie as my "Spring school” teacher in the diary. Jane wore her yellow Martha McIntosh dress, David his white sailor suit. David got carsick going over, but didn't vomit. He and Jane have been eating beautifully all week. Jane had eaten about five pieces of meat loaf and three pieces of pie for dinner, David three pieces of meat loaf. On top of all that, Ermine served cupcakes and limeade. Jane ate three-David about two. The latter then leaned against the coffee table and fell in a mixture of broken limeade glass and limeade. Afterwards they ate sweet apples. David feared that he might vomit.

201 Up at Mrs. Harrell’s she gave them chewing gum, candy bars and Papa bought them chewing gum. Brother gave them each golf balls.

Then after we came home I had promised Jane a diamond chip ring which Brother gave me when I was a child. She grabbed it out of the little jewel container, dropping a metal which I won. We looked and looked, couldn’t find it, and I was so worried with Jane that I acted worse than a child myself-made her sit on a chair while I looked for it. Mother finally found it, when I had given up. Poor Jane said that she had a terrible headache as a result.

I am halfway promised to take them to the show, but didn't.

Friday, August 22, 1941

The children and I went to town this morning first to the News Herald office, then the P.O., then to the A&P, then the ten cent store. David rode his tricycle.

Mrs. Link had invited us down to her house for the children to play with her granddaughter, Linda Lou. We took Aunt Dink and went about 2:30. The Links have a lovely yard. It is near the Redding’s, so I asked Alice to play with the children. She has a new tricycle with a chain gear (like a two-wheeler) and it was instantly so popular that David and I drove home and got his tricycle. That then made two bikes and four children. Jack made a picture of them all, and suggested that they take two turns each on the bikes. Jane became huffy and didn't want to let David take his two turns, started walking home and got as far as the Baptist Church. I started to follow, but met Mrs. Ball and of course talked with her. She had seen Jane coming across the street, had wondered whose child she was, had noticed that she was mad, with her lip down. I then decided not to follow her, and in a few minutes I saw her coming back. She finally became agreeable when we decided to have each child have six turns.

Mrs. Ruth Waldrop and Grace Holbrook came down. Mrs. Link served cookies and a beverage.

This morning at the 10 cent store Jane weighed 45, David 38.

Saturday, August 23, 1941

The children went out to the farm with Papa this morning. I went over to Aunt Dink's for a while. When Papa and the children came back they brought Dorothy Lucas from out at the farm with them. I had promised Shirley Ann (at Mrs. McPherron's) that we would have a tea party when they returned, so I made them some limeade.

This afternoon Mrs. Link brought Linda Lou to play for us. She plays what she wants with both hands, and she is only two months older than David.

202 I gave the children some money and Dorothy took Jane, David, Linda Lou and Nancy Jane all up to the drugstore. They came home with candy too.

John came shortly after. The most disconcerting news-given to me personally- was that Kit-Ann has been gone since Thursday night. He was here at home all day with Stella. When John came home he gave him a kidney, lay down on the cot on the front porch for a while with Kit-Ann beside him, then left about seven to get his own dinner. When he went out the door Kit-Ann ran out, and when he came back home-bringing him a box of dry kitten food, Kit-Ann was gone. He called him, but wasn't worried, as Kit- Ann has stayed out all night before. However, he didn't show up next morning and hasn't been seen since.

We drove down to see Mrs. Shipp. She wasn't at home, so we went to Mrs. Houchens’, then came back up to Miss Susie Spicer's and saw Mrs. Shipp.

Tonight after dinner the children were playing over at Bobby Nixon's. Margaret Jack, Adeline, Fanny's daughter, and Alice came. We first took Alice over to Nixon's. Then after Estell, Martha and Bobbie came, we brought the children home. There was some difficulty over David's tricycle, and Alice acted the way my youngsters have very often acted. They had a time getting her to go home. Then as Papa said Bobbie started "to cut a right smart shine", but didn't.

Sunday, August 24, 1941

David complained of his head hurting this morning and ate no breakfast. John and Beverly Jane went on to Mrs. Houchens’ and we waited a while to see how David was. After an aspirin he seemed to be all right, and we drove down with Papa (John meeting us at the Sparta Road) at noon. He ate fruit Jell-O, meatloaf, two hot rolls and drank milk for his dinner. By mid-afternoon he seemed to feel bad again, and we went on up to Mother's and prepared to come home. David was feverish by then and Jane was crying, saying that she didn't see why she couldn't live with her grannies.

When we reached home we took David's temperature, and it was 103. Before we had eaten, Cousin Frank and Inez stopped by. They had been in the Park to see somebody else.

David went to sleep after an aspirin.

Monday, August 25, 1941

I failed to state that Jane was terribly distressed when we got home and she found that Kit-Ann wasn't here. We hadn't told them thinking that he might be here when we arrived.

203 David had no fever this morning but said that he felt as if he would vomit. I talked to Dr. Andrews and he said to give him 4 tablespoons of Kaomagna a day -- one tablespoon at a time -- and that if he did he didn't get better to let him see him.

While John was at home with David at noon, Jane and I walked up to Betty Clement’s and over on Widgeon looking for Kit-Ann, but could get no word of him.

John brought a bushel of peaches home from market. Alice Birtles and Ann brought up a yellow and white kitten, female, of Kit-Ann's mother's most recent litter. Betty Clements brought her white kitten down, which she has to give up. Jane finally wanted the Birtles’ one-they are both females-but we are sleeping over the matter.

Tuesday, August 26, 1941

A catfight out back early this morning had me out to see if it could be Kit-Ann, but it wasn't. Rain this morning.

I have canned tomatoes that Mother gave me today and some of our peaches.

The children got the kitten. It was born July 11, and weighs almost 2 pounds.

Jane went somewhere with Alice once when I thought that she was going to stay at the Birtles’. From now on she will be expecting and taking-more freedom, I suppose- as she starts to school.

Wednesday, August 27, 1941

Mame was here today instead of yesterday. The new kitten is all right, I suppose but I do miss Kit-Ann. Taking Maria with us, the children and I walked along Meadowlark and Sora-also Crossbill-looking for him this afternoon. There are lots of cats and kittens. I didn't realize how many, but no Kit-Ann. Something surely happened to him.

Thursday, August 28, 1941

This morning it came to me that this group of boys captained by Dick Linton who tear through our yard on their bikes know something about Kit-Ann's disappearance. This morning I asked Dick to look for him, telling them that I would give him 50 cents or even a dollar if he could find him. He said that he would guarantee nothing, that he might have been killed, and he said it in what to me seemed a meaning way.

Jane has cried too much today for a six-year-old. Too often we are at cross purposes. I confess that is mostly my fault, I fear. Today she hit David in the bathtub for something that he said. I took a penny from her allowance, told her that I would give it back to her at the end of the day if her subsequent conduct warranted it. She cried, of course. While I was combing her hair she dashed off to get her shoes. I too peremptorily

204 ordered her to come back (they are always running away for something, both of them, as I dress them) and again she cried. I had to dress David and bathe myself and she didn't realize that she could go get her shoes and put them on after I finished her hair. Otherwise, I would have stood with brush in hand while she ran to get her shoes. At any rate, she cried vociferously and I regret to say that I spanked her. Then Carol and Ann came in, while I was in the act, and I am always sorry to embarrass her by having other children see her punished. One thing led to another. I don't want her to be a crybaby, but I am tense, and am ruining her disposition. Father in Heaven, forgive me, and lead me and help me to be a good mother to her.

The Trues have a new daughter.

Friday, August 29, 1941

The children and I went with John this morning, leaving David at school with him-and then Jane and I went on to Bacch's to look at the coat sets. The clerk, Mrs. Willis, assured us that the suits we saw will all be five dollars more after the August sale, and that new ones coming in will even be more. There were two- a camel’s hair with maroon velvet at $16.95 and a blue with a red hood at $14.95. Those prices seem outrageous, especially since they don't have hats.

We got back for John and David at 12:30 or thereabouts. Then we all went through the new building. David was interested in the dumb waiter. For a change he took a nap this afternoon.

This being our wedding anniversary we had Alma Jane here and went to Canary Cottage for a good dinner. Then we went to the Seelbach to see the old-fashioned melodrama-"Murder in the Old Red Barn". It was novel entertainment. The admission was supposedly 30 cents each, but a man approached us in the corridor and offered us passes given by Bruce, one of the actors. We couldn't figure of what he had some ulterior motive, but evidently he didn't. We took a couple of ginger ales and they cost us 70 cents (plus a 10 cent tip)-80 cents for two glasses of ginger ale. The audience hissed the villain, who was the best actor of the lot.

When we got home Alma Jean had gotten afraid of the kitty and had called her father over to put it on the back porch.

Saturday, August 30, 1941

About one John developed an acute gallbladder attack worse than any suffering he had had last spring he said. I called Dr. Morse and we gave him two capsules one at one o'clock, another about four. They alleviated pain and he had no pain all day, but has vomited time after time-undigested food. I call Dr. Morse to come and then John had me tell him not to come when he felt better after vomiting. That however was a mistake, I think. I am wondering how he is going to be tonight.

205 Harris and Thelma have named their new baby Peggy Ellen.

I took the children with me and went to Sears Roebuck's to see a coat set for Jane, but it was too small, so I ordered the $16.95 one at Baach's. Money, money -- prices going up.

Asking the Parents’ Information Test of the children I find that Jane can answer not only be 5 ½ to 6 ½ and has been able to for a long time, but most of the 6 ½ to 9, and some higher.

Sunday, August 31, 1941

John slept without pain last night, but got up again this morning vomiting. However, he finally was able to retain orange juice, two aspirins before lunch, and finally at lunch oatmeal and a cup of coffee. This afternoon he was able to eat a little, but has had some pain tonight.

I took the children to S.S. Afterwards we stopped at Norton Infirmary and saw Peggy Ellen True. John and I had seen her -- also Barbara Allen on Friday night. Barbara had an operation. The quadruplets were there Friday, but had gone home yesterday. I saw Thelma for a moment.

This afternoon I took them by the Couey’s for a moment, and we went over to the Roberts’ to-to check their mail and cut some flowers.

I feel as though tomorrow is Jane's last little girl day.

Monday, September 1, 1941

Jane is greatly excited. She, David and I prayed tonight that she might draw the teacher "best" for her. She says that she wanted Mrs. Cawthorne. I hope that she is in the room with Margaret, Jimmie, or some of the children that she knows.

John went to Dr. Morse this afternoon. He (the latter) says that John must expect upsets like this sometimes-doesn't favor his having an operation.

Tuesday, September 2, 1941

Jane's nose bled at 25 of 2, and I got awake-couldn’t back to sleep until almost daylight. So often-every night or so-one of them has his or her nose to bleed. Then I overslept. Jane had planned to be up at five, but it was seven when we got up, so we rushed around, reached school about 8:05. School begins at eight. Jane was so happy. I had rolled her hair in curls last night. She wore her red dotted Swiss dress, white pinafore with red apples, a red bow with white polka dots, her black patent slippers and White Sox.

206 David went, too, wearing his Coast Guard suit. When we got there they were already beginning to draw the boys. Jane went over to sit by Margaret. Mrs. Hart and Jimmie were there, Olive Curry and Jimmy, Mrs. Waldron and her two sons (only the older starts to school), Dorothy Summerford and Ann, Mrs. Bierbaum and Janet, little Beverly Ann from over on Widgeon (Martha's playmate), Patricia Dickinson and her mother, Carrie White and his mother, Lavenia White (whoever she married) and a cute little red-haired girl.

Three first grade teachers are Miss Pearl Florence, long popular at Prestonia, Christine Kerr Cawthorne and Mrs. Lamb.

Well, the drawing finally was finished. Margaret and Janet drew 2, then Jane drew and got 2. I was so happy, especially when we found that it was Mrs. Cawthorne who was getting the number twos, and Jane had wanted her. Then we found that Jimmie was also in that room.

We mothers filled out a form-I had failed to take Jane's birth certificate-then we went to the basement-spent 30 cents for tablet, big pencil, crayons, scissors and paste.

Sam, Claudine and Margaret brought us home. Before getting in the car we talked with Mrs. Slaughter -- had seen Mrs. Overstreet, Flora Greenwell and others we knew. Mrs. White and Harry also drove home with us.

Jane was so excited. I put play suits on them. Patricia and Roberta came up to play. We had gotten home at 9:10. They stayed a half hour, then Jane and David went down there for a half hour. Just as they came home Mother arrived to our surprise, coming with Cousin Gus, Linnie and a young minister. They had already seen Thelma and the baby.

Shortly after that Mrs. Cawthorne and Mrs. Lamb came for some signature of mine and Jane's birth certificate. I had been saying a prayer of thankfulness ever since school because Jane was with Margaret and Jimmie, but they told me that there were too many children for the two rooms and that they may have to re-draw tomorrow for another distribution, possibly sending some to what they called the portables, buildings outside. This was disquieting news. However, we must be satisfied with any arrangement and feel that it is for the best. I feel sure that any one of the teachers is excellent.

John came home for lunch. Mother wanted a hat, so we drove him to school and then we went on to town-to the bank, got Mother’s hat, made a deposit on Jane's $16.95 Bambury camel's hair coat set. We took Mother to the federal land Bank at three o'clock to meet Cousin Gus and the minister, with whom she was returning. Then we came by to bring the laundry, let David buy his ice truck at the 10 cent store by Dr. Kerr's office, went to Breitenstein's, Bickel's, the 10 cent store to see book satchels for Jane-and picked up John. He had been feeling very bad today, poor darling-ate no dinner at all.

207 After dinner we went to the Fifes and got Margaret's books. Sam had bought four sets (one each for Jimmie and Ann too). The Fifes seemed surprised that Jane read so well. She really can read both of the books-all picked up by her own efforts. However she will have plenty of other things to learn, and I am most concerned that she develop a well-rounded personality.

We left to Jimmie's and Ann's books with them.

The Fifes were amused with David's enjoyment of the drinking fountains at school.

It is strange the things that worry children. Jane is afraid that she can't find her room at school. She is also wondering how she will be sure which is her desk-when she goes back to the room after the morning recess.

She is the proudest thing that I ever saw of her book satchel and school materials.

Wednesday, September 3, 1941

David and I took Jane out this morning. I thought that I had better stay if they were going to redraw, to see what Jane drew. I expected the drawing to take place immediately. As a matter of fact, however, it wasn't finished until just before 10.

Mrs. Cawthorne asked children several things-what her name was-how many windows were in the room-had them sit at attention-had them saying "Jack be nimble, Jack be quick", using their fingers. Jane, another little girl and two boys went up front for that.

Finally they took them downstairs to the auditorium for the drawing. They lined the boys up together-then the girls. The teachers asked me to help-there was only one other mother there-and I did so. I could see that Jane was perturbed as the time drew near her for her to draw. I prayed inside me as hard as I ever prayed for anything that she draw the right one for her, whoever that might be. Chris Cawthorne had already told me upstairs that the teachers had already drawn numbers and that she had drawn the portable. Miss Florence was number one, Mrs. Lamb number two and Mrs. Cawthorne number three. Well Jimmie Curry drew early got number two-so did Ann Summerford, so did Margaret Fife. Jane girl drew number one. Knowing how much she wanted Mrs. Cawthorne I was sorry and I felt tears come to my own eyes but of course said nothing. I pointed out to Jane how nice it was that she was going to be in the room with Patricia. I felt sorry to tell sweet Margaret too. They had counted on being together after the drawing yesterday. Janet Bierbaum and Bobby Waldron drew Mrs. Cawthorne.

I had already stayed too long, so I attempted to collect David and come home. He objected strenuously however, and I had a hard time getting him to agree to come home. When we did get here he took on terribly-cried and cried, said that he didn't want to play

208 with Carl-that he wanted only to go to the Prestonia School. He finally did go out however.

I had asked Mrs. Dickinson to bring Jane home. When she got here she had only her book satchel-Miss Florence had her leave her books and all her things at school. She said that they didn't do much in Miss Florence's room. I could tell that she was unhappy- or not unhappy-a bit perturbed about the situation. She said that she got to stay in Mrs. Cawthorne's room just a day and a half. Once today she told me that she hoped David would get Mrs. Lamb, but she seemed so nice.

This afternoon John came home shortly after two-went right to bed, taking only a malted milk. I took the children in the car up to Robin Road and Audubon Parkway because Rollin (one of the neighborhood boys) told me that he had seen Kit-Ann in the yard of the apartment up there some time ago. We stopped and asked several people before we got a lead, and finally found that Kit-Ann had spent one night at the Murphy's and one night at the Bernard's and they had fed him. Mrs. Murphy had finally poured water on him to make him go away. All the description tallied with Kit-Ann. Nobody had seen him however for several days. One girl said that she saw him Monday-still in the vicinity of Robin Road. Tonight I have typed some "Lost or Strayed" cards for him.

The place on my hip is at last healing.

Jane bought milk -- brought a sandwich home.

Thursday, September 4, 1941

David got up crying to go to school this morning, but decided himself that he wouldn't go with his daddy to take Jane. Stella got here before Jane left, and that served to distract him some. He played with Carl.

Jane came home on the bus. She said that she pointed out her name written in script on the board and replied to Miss Florence when she asked how many had a bath last night (seemingly a very personal question, even for youngsters). She had only glimpses of Jimmie, Ann and Margaret. However she seems very reconciled to her room. Miss Florence came by this afternoon, apparently chauffeured by some P.T.A.ers for the same signatures that Christine Kerr came for Tuesday and Jane was rather proudly calling her "her teacher" to some of the neighboring children.

Jane, David, Ann Tritt and I distributed our "cat cards" as David calls them in the vicinity of Robin Road this afternoon-- eight of them.

Friday, September 5, 1941

It is a rush to get Jane to school by eight o'clock. John has taken her yesterday and today, and she came home on the bus. Today she wanted to take no money for milk

209 (4 cents) and cookies, so I didn't send any but they told her that she would have to bring a lunch from home next week or money for lunch there.

This afternoon after lunch the children and I had a study period on animals in David's " Big and Little" animal book.

Patricia and Roberta came up, and Patricia went home crying or rather her feelings hurt. I am not sure that she cried. I switched David and went by and tried to fix it up with Patricia. I must call her mother tomorrow morning about the matter.

Jane cried and acted up a bit later because her daddy didn’t have the card to his mother ready for her to mail.

John went to the doctor-thinks he feels a little better-has lost two more pounds.

David Loring drew Mrs. Lamb's room.

Saturday, September 6, 1941

John still doesn't feel good. Against my advice he cut the grass this afternoon.

Margie and Maria went with the children and me to the grocery store today.

Just before we ate our devil's food cake tonight the Coueys came by for the children to accompany them to the drugstore on their bicycles.

They did so, and when they all got back we had grape juice, ginger ale and cake.

Sunday, September 7, 1941

This is Brother’s fiftieth birthday. It seems impossible that he has reached that age. It won't take me long at the rate the years are spinning-if I live to be that age. I mailed Brother a copy of "The Collecting of Antiques" by Esther Singleton on Friday.

John didn't go to S.S. The children and I did, leaving some flowers at the hospital for Thelma. After class I stopped to talk with her for a little while. The children stayed in the car.

Jane and I talked to Mrs. Cawthorne. I am sure that Jane feels keenly not getting her, but she is bearing up pretty well about the matter.

David complained of his head hurting at dinner-went to bed in a cold sweat- seemed better when he got up though after a long nap.

210

Monday, September 8, 1941

We can't seem to get started with Jane before five of eight. I drove her out this morning. Gladys and Caroline drove up right behind us, but I didn't talk with them.

Just then I saw a yellow and white cat following some woman from the schoolyard across Preston Street toward the filling station. It looked so much like Kit- Ann that I turned the car at Sadler's Grocery pulled up in front of the filling station and asked where the cat went. Some boys said that they thought it was under my car. Just then it started back across the street, and a woman driver had to pull up short to keep from hitting it. It was over in the yard across the street then. I went over there, spoke to him and he let me pick them up. Then I went in Sadler's Grocery, ask if he belonged around there. They knew nothing about him-seemed anxious for me to take him. I went across to the filling station, asked the woman he had followed and the filling station operator. Nobody knew anything-said he would get killed if he stayed there. So I brought him home and he lay quietly on the front seat all the way.

John didn't believe it was Kit-Ann. He did look larger of course, but it had been three weeks since I saw him. I weighed him and he weighed about an ounce less than 6 pounds. Before we went to Owenton he weighed about 4 ounces less than 6 pounds, so it seems probable that he would be a little bigger.

He was hungry-ate ravenously of liver and chicken bones. I got out our Kodak pictures of him and found his markings are the same. Some of his fur was torn off his back.

He seemed quieter-went to the basement, slept, lay curled on the laundry while I washed.

This afternoon Patsy Hart was here and bathed him-first simply in soap-found that he was alive with fleas, bathed him over again in Lysol, killed many of them.

I think it is Kit-Ann. He still has his biting instinct. The new little kitten, Kitten Britches, would like to play with him, but Kit-Ann hisses at him.

This was Suzy's birthday. Jane and David were over there to eat ice cream and cake.

Tonight we took the Roberts’ things home.

This morning after I got home from school I was over in the Schroder’s yard, found Ann Tritt's kitty over there-took it to her.

Jane said that she counted to 100 at school today.

211

Tuesday, September 9, 1941

We were able to get Jane to school a little earlier today by Mame coming. John said that I might use the car, so we drove her out then David and I took John over to school (they are in the new building now), then came back by Kernen's. David sat in a tub of water a long time and played. I was spraying the roses.

This afternoon the children and I went for Margaret and her mother, went to the P.T.A. meeting and tea at school. The children were in the nursery upstairs.

As we took Claudine and Margaret home I left the children at the barbershop-then later we picked up John, who is feeling bad again after feeling better yesterday.

The two kits had a big play outside after dinner this evening. Kit-Ann wasn't so fussy with the little one today. Everything now points to it being Kit-Ann. He even likes cantaloupe, as Kit-Ann did.

Wednesday, September 10, 1941

Mrs. Houchens called this morning from the state fair. She had come with Faulkners. John went down to meet her at four o'clock.

Jane came home with a sheet of numbers, 1 through 5 duplicated many times over, on which she had received a blue star.

John is so jaundiced-quite yellow-even his eyeballs.

The kittens are very playful together.

After yesterday's heat it became much cooler today.

Thursday, September 11, 1941

Jane has been coming home with Mrs. Dickinson this week. However the Harts moved home yesterday and plan to start Jimmie to school Monday, so we can work out some arrangements next week.

Also yesterday John Breitenstein's man started breaking ground for the new house back of us.

Mrs. Houchens had to go home this afternoon. However she, the children and I had the car and went down to see Thelma and Peggy Ellen this afternoon.

212 From there we came by St. Mary's and Elizabeth's to see a cousin of John's, but she had gone home. Then we picked up John and drove Mrs. Houchens to the bus station to meet the Faulkners.

John had to go back to school tonight.

Friday, September 12, 1941

Patricia Dickinson had a cold, so Mrs. Dickinson couldn't or rather didn't have a reason for going after the children. John came for her however, then home for lunch.

This afternoon they have played some with Harry White. He is in Jane's room at school.

John went to Dr. Morris this afternoon, but he had been called to the hospital for an emergency case, and John had to go back tonight. He wants him to see Dr. Kinsman tomorrow.

Harry and his sister Caroline played here with Jane and David tonight. Ann Couey came up.

Saturday, September 13, 1941

I heard David telling Carl the other day that the vine on our porch is a Cardinal Drive. . It is really a Cardinal Climber, but we have a street here in the Park called Cardinal Drive of which he was thinking.

We were amused at Jane the other day. She was telling us about saluting the flag at school and said "I pledge allegiance to the flag and to the Republican for which it stands." Yesterday she was very much thrilled because they had fire drill.

Well, John went to Dr. Kinsman today. He said that all his symptoms indicate that surgery is the only remedy. He says that three things could be wrong-gallstones, a growth, or a catarrhal condition. The latter occurs usually only with people in their teens. The fact that he has lost weight all these weeks and months indicates a growth, but that is the only indication of that. All other symptoms pointed to stones. So-- Dr. Morris talked with John this afternoon-- they are going to wait a few days to see if he will get better and then if he will not, an operation seems slated.

Jane and David have been to Harry's to a show tonight-"Lil Abner."

Sunday, September 14, 1941

Again John did not did not sleep last night to amount to anything. This morning I went to S.S. with the children. John stayed home and relaxed, getting up only for meals.

213 After four we drove out to Prestonia and made a picture of Jane on the steps of school in the dress and pinafore that she wore the first day-two pictures in fact.

After we came home the Roberts came. After church time tonight the Coueys stopped by to see about John. Then at eleven the Coles came up at our suggestion to talk about surgeons. It was a few minutes before 12 when they left.

Monday, September 15, 1941

Although the day has been lovely, I have been conscious of little except John's impending operation.

Jane went to school. They are still working on numbers 1 through 5 in Miss Florence's room. Jane practiced on writing "Jane" in script yesterday and made real improvement.

Jimmie Hart started back to school today, drew Mrs. Lamb's room.

David has some cold.

Mrs. Hart took the children for a walk this afternoon and Jimmie knocked his vaccination scar (ed.-scab) off.

Tuesday, September 16, 1941

Sunday night and yesterday we thrashed out the matter of surgeons. Finally today we decided definitely on Dr. Hagan. I pray that it is the right decision. John had leaned toward him, and if everything weren't to go as it should I would never feel right if I had someone else. Dr. Andrews, Dr. Pickett, Dr. Morris and Dr. Kinsman all rate him highly.

John not only feels bad and looks dreadful, but he has gotten into a bad mental state-- was so completely undone when he got home that it almost got the best of me. I want to be very brave for his sake though, as it will be all the harder for him to go through this thing if I give down.

The children of course are not as yet particularly conscious of how serious is their daddy's condition, although I have told them that he is going to the hospital.

David has a cold. Jane is still thrilled over school. I gave David and Ann Tritt a tea party this morning.

Wednesday, September 17, 1941

John didn't go to school today, as he did yesterday and Monday. He slept virtually none last night in spite of having capsules to make him sleep. The itching was terrific, and although he and also I swabbed him often with alcohol, it allayed the itching

214 very little. Finally this morning he slept for some three hours or more, without capsules. I tried to keep David as quiet as possible. They were playing-he, Carl and Suzy-and sometimes would get on the Hart’s driveway unless I kept them shooed to the back.

I got La Verne to stay with the children while I brought John to the hospital. First I took him to the barbershop for a shave and a haircut, while I went home to get ready.

We got to the hospital at four. Sometime between then and five-- in the meantime he had been given a room 327, third floor, Miss Collier, floor supervisor-- Mother and Mrs. Houchens surprised us by walking in. Papa had driven them to Frankfort, and they had come on the bus, getting off at Barrett and walking the two blocks to the hospital. John seemed glad to see them.

Dr. Hagan didn't get in until between 6:30 and seven. He almost immediately verified what we had thought-- that John is in no condition for an operation yet, and that they will keep him here for a while to cut down the risk. He said that if John is really beginning to clear of the jaundice, as his stools begin to indicate by a slight return to normality of color, then they will wait until he is entirely over the jaundice. However, if he is not clear they will have to operate anyhow.

We came home immediately, I paid La Verne 50 cents, and then we prepared dinner, both Mother and Mrs. Houchens having brought chickens.

Thursday, September 18, 1941

Stella came in just after Jane started to school with the Harts. She was of course full of news of Thelma and her baby, but was immediately concerned when she found both our mothers there and that John was in the hospital. She called Thelma immediately to tell her.

Mother had decided that she would go home today since the operation is postponed until later, so I drove her to St. Joseph's at nine o'clock where she joined Dr. McBee to go to Owenton with him. They were away at 9:15. I went home, got my things together and went to the Baptist. Dr. Hagan and Dr. Morse were in the room when I got there. They are going to give John vitamin K, which causes the blood to clot. They indicated that it will be some days, possibly a week or two weeks before the operation. The risk will be less if they can get his jaundice to clear.

Having failed to bring any lunch I went to Oyster Inn on Broadway for a plate lunch. Around two I went home to get some things, then picked up the laundry, left my dress at the dry cleaners, took John’s glasses to the Southern Optical to have the ear piece replaced, paid a number of bills, left Mother’s pen at the pen shop- then drove back to the hospital to take John his glasses and a new bottle of alcohol.

215 It was then about six. I found him discouraged and depressed .Mr. Couey had been in to see him, and said that he wanted to be present during the operation, not as a pastor but as a friend.

I went on home, didn't go back, as I had some things to do-- a card to write to Mother, Jane ready for bed, and so on. Ann Couey came by and took the children to the drugstore with her-- came in for a moment when they got back and while there Ralph called us to go out in the backyard and see the display of Northern lights. Jane was frightened. She has had a touch of asthma in the last few days.

Ann said today that Christine told her that Jane had a darling dress(her pink and white checked pinafore) and was such a precious child that she would like to have her. Jane is making "m's" now.

Today David asked me who made the rings on a peg toy which he has had since he was a baby. I told him that either Santa or Mrs. Santa made it. He asked me if it looked like Santa's job or Mrs. Santa's.

Friday, September 19, 1941

I went over to the hospital rather early this morning, leaving home about 8:30, just after the water company turned off the water to work on the pipes. John was looking bad when I got there, said that he felt worse than he did when he came to the hospital, that he had had a worse night of itching. When Dr. Hagan came in he told Ms. Collier to give him quantities of fruit juice by the pitcher, with glucose in it.

I went home for lunch. Jane wasn't yet home. I got David ready and drove him to town to Dr. Wood, having called yesterday to ascertain whether he would be there today. He had been called to St. Joseph's for an emergency operation and we didn't get to see him. David asked me why it was that in the nighttime when cars are going along that the moon goes along with them.

When we got home I wanted to call Dr. Wood’s office to see if we could by chance see him out at St. Joseph's to save another trip to town. Jane wanted to show me her school papers, but in my hurry to call I failed to look at them, hurt her feelings, and she cried considerably, asked me if I would promise never to do it again. I wouldn't promise-and she asked me if I would promise never except "in an emergency." I could feel a smile coming to my face but repressed it and promised.

I fixed some lunch for myself and went to the hospital. Mr. Couey came by for a minute as they were on their way to Georgetown. John seem to be feeling and looking some better this evening, whether as a result of the amount of fruit juice to flush his kidneys or not I don't know.

I went home between seven and eight, going by way of Bickel's to get tomatoes, and by Laveille's to get Choco pops.

216

The Fifes were here when I arrived, but left immediately.

Saturday, September 20, 1941

I didn't go over to the hospital so early this morning. John had wanted the children to come over, so we all got ready and went over about 10:30. John was looking much better-had Epsom salts this morning-but wasn't itching so much. The children had a big time. They, particularly David, became acquainted with a lot of patients it seems and they found the going profitable. A man next to John with a bad arm gave David two nickels (one for Jane) and Dr. Hagan gave Jane two nickels (one for David). Then the latter got a piece of candy from somebody up the hall.

I had prepared for Mrs. Houchens to stay-- we had taken some lunch and bought her a hamburger so the children and I came home, called Dr. Wood’s office to check whether he was there, then drove to see him, then walked to Byck's with his prescription and got brown oxfords for him, size 9 D. They have to have that width to take the necessary correction. We collected Mother’s pen, went to the 10 cent store to get Jane some hair ribbon and David some socks, saw Carolyn Redding, then came home. There I cleaned the house, cooked beans, gave both cats Lysol baths, and we still got to Steiden's and the A&P, and back before the Roberts brought Mrs. Houchens home. Then I went up for the evening.

Ann Couey was here after I left. Her mother is coming to live with her.

Sunday, September 21, 1941

Today has been busy. I took the children to S.S. as it was the last Sunday before Jane is to be promoted on next Sunday in to another department. Mrs. Houchens stayed at home. Immediately after class we drove to the hospital to see John. He was not looking nor feeling quite so good as yesterday. David started his travels again. The man next door who has a bad hand gave him a quarter and some chewing gum.

We went home for dinner, found that Cousin Ray and Mary had been there. Betsy had sent over some delicious rolls to be baked.

Immediately after the dishes were washed we took the children to the Fife’s, then drove on to the hospital.

Mr. Stamm came shortly, then Harris True, then Dean Wilkinson, then Mr. Cooke. Near six the Fifes came bringing the children and flowers. They insisted on taking Mrs. Houchens and the children home with them for waffles and coffee.

I had almost finished my thermos milk and sandwiches when Mother, Paul and Ermine came. They didn't stay long. Cousin Frank and Inez were down in the car and I

217 walked down with them to see them. Then Paul, Ermine and Mother went to town to get something to eat. I went on home and was there by eight. Mrs. Houchens and the children had arrived, but the folks (who had gone to Canary Cottage) didn't get out until after 8:30. The children showed off for their benefit-didn't get to bed early.

Monday, September 22, 1941

I washed before I went to the hospital this morning, Mrs. Houchens washing the things that were to be Lux-ed, and hanging the clothes out. (ed.- Lux soap for gentle washing) I started to the hospital shortly before 11, stopping at Betsy's to get some lovely flowers-a small vase of very lovely little yellow rosebuds, and also a zinnia and aster combination. When I got to the hospital John said that his test this morning had indicated that he was no better than when he went in. In addition his itching began again last night, and his stools today were assuming a gray look again he thought. So, we were rather blue about it. Rollin Hargrove came in and talked to him a long time. When Dr. Hagan finally came about six he said that this stool wasn't so bad, that he did have some bile in it. I came home about seven.

Tuesday, September 23, 1941

Mame came this morning early. I drove Jane to school. Kit-Ann is evidently gone again. I got home about seven last night, before it was completely dark. He wasn't here, and according to Mrs. Houchens the last that they saw him was between three and four o'clock when Jane took him out of the house into the yard. He must not like us. He is pretty, with yellow eyes (the little kitten has gray ones) and I should like to keep him if he would stay.

Mrs. Houchens, David and I went to the hospital about 10. We found John looking better. Dr. Hagan had been there, Dr. Morse came in while we were there. They were to confer. We left about 11:30, came by the 10 cent store on Bardstown road, then came by the bakery for doughnuts. I went up and picked up Mrs. Dickinson and her children at the corner. Mrs. Hart brought Jane home.

I was going back to the hospital in mid-afternoon. Before I started however John called to say that the doctors had decided to let him come home to get in condition for his operation at home to save hospitalization expenses when his hospital insurance is used up. The children went with me to get him. He was very discouraged naturally, and became rather nervous after arrival home. He doesn't have to stay in bed all the time.

Wednesday, September 24, 1941

I overslept this morning, whether from the excitement of having John home or not, knowing that I didn't have to go to the hospital, I don't know. He sleeps in Jane's bed, she sleeps with me, and Mrs. Houchens on the davenport.

I went to the Haymarket this morning. While I was away Roger Kent came by to bring John fruit, magazines and the galley proof of a book from Mrs. Kent. Also, most

218 astounding, a woman from Robin Road, Mrs. Davis brought Kit-Ann home. The children and I had left a card over there when he was lost before and she remembered that it was Teal Road-- asked the postman, who told her that he was ours.

Jean Roberts came by tonight-brought more pretty yellow rosebuds.

John seems to feel about as he did yesterday, still itches considerably.

Thursday, September 25, 1941

Such a night as last night was. The wind blew terrifically. I got up and closed the windows because there was so much rattling and banging, but left the bedroom windows open a little, also the bathroom. I knew that it was not raining, but didn't suspect a dust storm. This morning the place was covered. Our front porch was white, cot and all, and dust and grit had sifted over everything in the house.

Mrs. Houchens and I worked all morning cleaning up.

This evening the Corleys came bringing beautiful flowers. Last night Cousin Inez went to the hospital not knowing that John was gone.

Kit-Ann is gone again tonight.

Friday, September 26, 1941

Kit-Ann came back about bedtime last night.

It has been much cooler today.

John wanted to go to Dr. Morse today. First this morning however Mrs. Houchens, David and I were away for a while. David and I went over to school to get some reports for John to read, dropping Mrs. Houchens off at St. Joseph's to see Mrs. Wainscott. We came on back to the Super Market, got her and came home. This afternoon I drove John out to Dr. Morse's. He had an emergency call just after we got there, and we went for a drive, out past the drive-in theater, then through Indian Hills to see the Wilkinson's new home in process of construction on Bow Lane.

Dr. Morse had nothing new to say about John's condition. They do not want him to take another test before Monday.

The neighborhood children had another show tonight -- Major Bowes amateur hour this time, and instead of being in the White’s basement, it was in the Birtles’ yard -- this even though it was very cool. They had an elaborate stage and set up in the yard. David has been wanting to go since the children first mentioned it about Wednesday, and today he has been hard to manage, wanting to go along, not wanting to wait until eight

219 this evening. Mrs. Houchens went with them. I went with them down there, then returned home to stay with John. We listened to "Information Please."

When they came back they were almost frozen. They had worn spring coats and hats but they proved too light. Of course the children were full of what they had seen. Saturday, September 27, 1941

I slept until 10 of 8-consequently we have been late all day with meals. I had to go to town to get some things from the bank for Aunt Sue, got home at 1:30. Estell and Martha surprised us by coming this afternoon-with Bobbie. They weren’t here very long, brought us a nice chicken and bowl of cottage cheese.

Ann Couey came by this morning bringing the children books-Jane a coloring book and David a brushless paint book.

John slept well last night for the first time, and seemed to feel better today.

Cousin Inez came by this evening.

Sunday, September 28, 1941

The clocks were turned back from daylight savings to Central Standard time last night.

Mrs. Houchens and I took the children to S.S., as this was promotion day, also Dr. Gibson's last Sunday. Jane was "graduated" from Miss. Nettie’s department, the Beginners to the Primary Department. Miss Nettie had a nice exercise. The children had little mortarboard hats and got diplomas-also copies of the Gospel of St. John. Miss Nettie had asked Dr. Gibson to award the diplomas, and he did. David was promoted from the first to the second grade. He didn't want to leave Miss Wanda, his teacher, and Jane didn't want to leave Mrs. Nettie's Department. David helped pass the baskets. Mrs. Houchens and I sat in there, and went into the Primary Department for a bit after Jane went in there.

We came home had a baked chicken dinner, and had finished the dinner dishes when Elmer and Callie Dilley came. Then the Bennetts came. Later in the afternoon the Stevensons stopped. Mrs. Lovell called to offer to give David a month of nursery school to help us out. Everybody is being very kind.

David fell against the corner of the chair rail in the dining room and cut his face under his eye.

The University people are greatly shocked by Mrs. Jenks' suicide yesterday.

Monday, September 29, 1941

220 Mrs. Houchens and I got up at six-- with the time turned back it was as light then as it has been at seven. John and I left here at 10, took the laundry, went by Pearson's to pay our respects to Mrs. Jenks. Then we went on to town, John going to the Brown Building to see Dr. Hagan, I to Besten's for a wave haircut. Dr. Hagan told John that he didn't think that he was ready for the test, to wait until the latter part of the weekend and come back to him. He said that his liver is involved and that there is entirely too much danger of complications to go ahead with the operation too soon. He hopes that John will not have another attack before they can get at this.

We had the car washed, then came home.

Jane wrote her last name at school for the first time today-- got C on it as compared with A that she has been getting on her first name and letters. Miss Florence wrote Jane's name Houchins, and because Jane hated to tell her she wrote it that way all down the page.

George and Carolyn Redding surprised us tonight. We were so glad to see them.

Tuesday, September 30, 1941

Mrs. Houchens went home this morning to stay for some days. We had a rush. I had promised Mrs. Dickinson that we would take Patricia, thinking that we could get back from taking Mrs. Houchens to the train in time. However, all of us drove Mrs. Houchens over to Fourth Street to find that the trains don't stop at Fourth anymore, so we had to go to Baxter Avenue. When he saw the trains David decided that he wanted to go home with Granny-- too late to arrange the matter, of course. I don't think he would've gone anyhow.

By the hardest we got back to Audubon picked up Patricia and got the children to school on time.

I washed. The day was extremely windy. When I went back to Prestonia for Jane and Jimmie at 12:30 there was a dense fog of dust over the new airport, and Jane said that they couldn't have outside recess because of the dust.

Dean Wilkinson came out to see John before noon to tell him there was a chance that they might send some of the boys to the Panama Canal.

At 1:45 I picked up Mrs. Janes at the University and brought her out for John to confer with her. David finally went up to Donnie's, Patricia was here for a while, also Maria.

I am so tired- going to bed at eight.

Wednesday, October 1, 1941

221 I took Jane and Patricia to school, David going along. As we came back by Bickel's, I bought a basket of grapes, had to give 65 cents for it.

John went for Jane and Jimmie at noon.

Mrs. Kent came by this afternoon and brought more reading matter.

David played up at Jerry’s this morning. Maria, Patricia and Roberta were here this afternoon. I notice that since Jane and Patricia are in the same school and room they seem to have more things in common and leave Maria out, which I don't like.

Thursday, October 2, 1941

Stella didn't come until 10:30 today, but worked until 5:30. John and I went to the barbershop and grocery store- he the former, I the latter before time to get Jane, then drove out to Prestonia. I saw and talked with Margaret as she waited for the bus. She writes beautifully for a first grader. Jane has progressed in her writing of script, but she doesn't approach Margaret.

After lunch I went to town, to the dry cleaners, to the library, to the market, to get the laundry, to U. of L., then back for John to go to Dr. Morse.

Tonight we were reading a book that I got at the library and there was a reference to the father of our country. I asked Jane if she knew who was the father of our country and she said "yes, God." I considered it a very good answer, but I asked her of the United States of America. She said "Uncle Sam", which I thought another good answer.

Poor little David has what looks like embryo corns on his toes. I wonder if it can be his heavy built-up shoes which cause them. His last shoes cost $5.75, with alterations.

Friday, October 3, 1941

Today we had real rain. I drove Jane and Patricia to school.

John went out to the Baptist Hospital about 10 to see Dr. Hagan and then have another icterus index test. (ed.- A calculation indicating the level of bilirubin in serum or plasma, in which the intensity of the color of a specimen is compared with that of a standard solution using a colorimeter.) I was supposed to go to the University Womens’ Club luncheon, taking Betsy and Claudine, and, as it was pouring and I had arranged for Jane to ride the school bus home for the first time, we asked Jean to meet the bus up at Preston Street Road, so that they wouldn't have to stand in the rain while they waited for a transfer. Jane was thrilled at the idea of riding the bus home.

I didn't get home until about four by the time I grocery shopped.

222 During dinner Mrs. Wilkinson called to invite me to use a ticket made available for her to go with them to hear the Metropolitan basso, Ezio Pinza. This of course proved a delightful experience. Miss Kersey wanted especially to hear him in a certain part of "The Marriage of Figaro." He gave that and it was superb.

Saturday, October 4, 1941

We slept late and have been running late on meals all day. John went to Firestone and had the car filled, got his suit at the dry cleaners.

We didn't attempt the tea which the Wilkinson's gave in the new building with the new members this afternoon.

Children are so funny. David goes around sometimes singing a little air about “Daylight saving time". This he has been doing since Louisville went on it in the spring. Jane and Margaret talk to each other on the telephone. Not until today did I learn that Elly is a nickname for Muffy.

Tonight at dinner David by his own request was using a small three-pronged wooden picnic fork. He observed that it had only three instead of one on each side and two in the middle as have our silver forks. I asked him if he knew what the points were called and he said "No." I told him "tines", and Jane spoke out and said "prongs." It is strange how a child gets a vocabulary almost without one's knowledge.

Sunday, October 5, 1941

The children and I went to S.S. Jane seems to like the Primary Department. Her teacher is a young looking girl, Wilma Bruce.

When we reached home the children and I first returned the Corley’s vases, then John and the children drove out to Motherhead's at Okolona for some orange sherbert-- more for the drive than otherwise.

As we were finishing dinner we had some excitement. We watched a squirrel busily collecting a walnut under our walnut trees. The cats were outside, but we didn't see them. Evidently however "Big Kit" was under the step (that is Kit-Ann; "Little Kit" is Kitten Britches") and suddenly he had the squirrel. It was squealing and we dashed out to try to make him give it up. Jane cried because of all the excitement, and we had a merry chase for a minute. John finally made Kit-Ann let it loose though, and if a cat were ever chagrinned it was he. He did manage to get an end off the squirrel's tail.

Harris and Thelma came late bringing the baby. She is sweet.

Monday, October 6, 1941

223 Mrs. Hart wanted to talk to Mrs. Lamb about Jimmie, so she brought the children home at noon.

Jane isn’t making as good grades on her writing as she did. She still gets A on her "number work", but gets B+, B- or even C on her written letters. With her reading she doesn't have to bother in the slightest. David took a nap. Jane went down to Patricia's and played school with her, Alice and some other child. I am dreadfully tired.

Tuesday, October 7, 1941

John took Jane and Jimmie to school. Mame was here. John went to see Dr. Hagan this morning. He is going to reserve a room at the hospital for him and plan to have his operation, Monday if his test Saturday warrants it.

Mother had written that Papa was bringing her and Mrs. Houchens tomorrow, but Margaret Jack called tonight to say that they aren't coming until they hear from us.

Wednesday, October 8, 1941

Last night when David said his prayer he added "I hope that my daddy won't die."

This afternoon I drove the children to town and we went to the Kentucky Hotel to see the two ocean navy, the airplane exhibit and Mary Lewis' doll collection. The children liked the movie with the airplane exhibit, were interested in the German aviator’s blood spattered suit and a parachute dummy, but they were mostly thrilled, as was I, over the dolls. They were fascinating, dolls of every nation, brides and grooms (even fleas dressed as brides and grooms under a magnifying glass, nurses, portrait dolls.) (Hitler, Mussolini, Roosevelt, Chamberlain), china head dolls, wax head dolls, the Pinn family, Queen Victoria, Fiji Islanders, shell and sponge doll from Nassau, Chinese dolls, Mexican dolls, Indian dolls, and so on.

After dinner tonight we were asking the children questions. John seemed surprised that David knew what a plumber was. I asked him and he said that he worked with pipes. I asked him what an electrician was and he said that he worked with wires. A farmer, he said, had cows and pigs and grows tobacco. A preacher, he says talks about God.

Thursday, October 9, 1941

Harry came up to play with David until three. When he went home I let David go with him to stay until four-and David came home saying that Caroline White was sick, had the whooping cough. I called Mrs. White and she said that the child had an upset stomach, but they had had whooping cough, that she didn't let David go where she was, but David says that he was in the room with her. So I don't know what will happen.

224

Margie and Maria were here this afternoon.

David again prayed tonight that his daddy not die-said that his mother would have to run the car-(least of all the things she would have to do).

Friday, October 10, 1941

I went over to school to get some things for John this morning. After I came back John and David went out to the new house back of us -- brought Mr. Breitenstein back with them to appraise our house, which he did, at $5,500.

David and I got dressed and went out to school at ten of twelve, surprised Jane by visiting her room. They were reading. Of course Jane did nicely. I saw some of the children whom she talks about.

After lunch John made a quick trip out to the Home for the Incurables. As soon as he was back the children and I picked up Betsy and Martha and went to Columbia Auditorium to see the puppet show-a feature of the Ketuckiana week. It was a Canadian company. The first was a deep-sea fantasy, with fish, mermaids, a treasure chest, an octopus, a diver (the latter finally being swallowed by a whale)-and finally King Neptune.

Then there was an old-fashioned melodrama, then skeletons dancing in a graveyard (the children didn't seem to consider it gruesome)-in several short acts. Afterwards they brought some of the puppets out on the stage and the children saw them.

David went to sleep on the davenport tonight before I started fixing him for bed.

Saturday, October 11, 1941

John went to the hospital this morning to see Dr. Hagan and have a test run. If all went well he was to have his operation Monday. He was gone all morning and when he returned and said that his test was only down to 30, and they won't go ahead. I feel so sorry for him. He had met Dr. Kinsman at the hospital and he had told him again than an operation is imperative-that another attack such as he had might permanently impair his liver.

He went to town this afternoon-just to get away for a bit, brought David a card of small ships and Jane a jigsaw puzzle.

Sunday, October 12, 1941

The children and I went to S.S. The day was pretty. Jane's new teacher, Wilma Bruce, told me that Jane is so smart, answers all the questions.

225 We were surprised this afternoon to have Less and Corinne Doane and the Estes girls stop by.

John took the children walking up to Preston.

Monday, October 13, 1941

This has been John's worst day mentally, I think.

Dr. Morse called him this morning while I was over at the University for him, and they had a bit of a set to. I could weep for him if it would do any good.

This afternoon I went to Bacon's, bought a blue Louisville souvenir plate.

Tuesday, October 14, 1941

This was P.T.A. day. I took the children and left them in the nursery. Mildred Cole was in charge. Mr. New of Male High’s physical education department talked and I should have liked to talk to him afterwards about what he said about flat feet if he hadn't left before the program was over.

Wednesday, October 15, 1941

John finished reading William L. Schirer's "Berlin Diary", and I started reading it last night.

David and I went over to school to take some things to Mrs. Jaynes this morning.

This afternoon John thought Mrs. Hart was going for the children and she thought that he was going. In consequence Jane and Jimmie sat on the school steps for about 20 minutes and although Jane hadn't cried before her daddy finally got there, she did after he got there.

She got her first report card today for the first six weeks. It read:

Days present 29 Days absent 0 Times tardy 0 Conduct A Application A Citizenship A Work Excellent Height 50 in. Weight 51 lbs.

226 Thursday, October 16, 1941

John went to the hospital this morning hoping that Dr. Hagan would consent to his having a test today but has to wait until Saturday. However Dr. Hagan's office girl called here this afternoon to ask what doctor John wanted to give the anesthetic, so that looks more as though Dr. Hagan plans it for next week. The girl told him that it is scheduled for Tuesday.

Jane went down to Patricia's. David went down later, as Stella left. Jane came home upset because Susan, who is in the fifth grade and lives across the street from Patricia, came over and preempted the school and teacher play.

Friday, October 17, 1941

Jane was up before we were this morning. I ask her what time it was (she tells time pretty well now) and she said 6:15. I relaxed, John built a fire in the furnace, and happened to look at the clock and it was 7:30, so Jane had been an hour wrong. We had to rush to get Jane off in time.

John has been over to school this afternoon. This is the third afternoon she has been over.

Jane has had the kitten wearing a lot of pink georgette with a pink ribbon on her tail. She purrs amicably in spite of it all. Big Kit wouldn't put up with it.

The day has been rainy. David spent the morning with his "selling box"-- laces, ribbons, etc., that I have accumulated through the years.

Saturday, October 18, 1941

Well John’s test was down to 17 today. The doctor thinks that it will be down to around 10 by Tuesday, so the operation is slated for then. He is to go to the hospital tomorrow afternoon.

The Brighams came out this afternoon-brought Jane two dresses.

227

Book # 23- October 19, 1941-November 25, 1941

228 Sunday, October 19, 1941

John decided to go to S.S. this morning, so we all went. After we came home and John took the children out to the new house, now progressing rapidly. We had regular sort of "gallbladder diet" dinner, then I wrote cards to Martha and Mary Sue and a note to George and Carolyn Redding.

Then it was time to take John to the hospital, for he was supposed to be there by four o'clock. When we got there we discovered that he had room 328 right next door to 327 where he was three weeks ago.

I went down to 220 to see Mrs. Newton, Mame and Ollie's sister.

Mr. Jones, Dr. Hagan’s gallbladder patient from Elizabethtown, is across the Hall from John. He is to have his operation tomorrow morning, John on Tuesday morning.

John didn't go to bed. The nurses saw the four of us in the room, kept asking who was the patient.

The children and I finally drove home about seven. I had been on the verge of tears all afternoon, and felt as though I couldn't repress a complete breakdown when Jane cried all the way home. She said that she couldn't stand to go home, “just three in the family."

I talked to Claudine-rather, she called.

Monday, October 20, 1941

Mother called from Cousin Inez' at eight o'clock-by 8:15 she, Papa and Mrs. Houchens were here. Papa wanted a new overcoat, and needed to go to Rosenbaum's about his wool, so we went to town, Mrs. Houchens staying with David. He bought an overcoat and hat, then we went to Rosenbaum's, then to the hospital.

John was in bed but was working on school materials. We didn't stay long, went home, had dinner, and before long Papa started home.

Shortly after three we all drove to the hospital. Mr. Jones had his operation this morning-moaned and groaned terribly this morning when coming from under the anesthetic, but was quiet tonight.

Sam, Claudine and Margaret came. John was filled up some yesterday when Jane gave him a loving, childish embrace. Tonight though, he bore up pretty well even when we left. Dr. Hagan came in to see him-said "Well, you are going to get in the morning what you have been begging for."

229 We left about seven. When we got home Mrs. Vanderhaar came over bringing a bowl of hot chicken soup. Before I ate, I went to the Super Market, bought half a ham, saw Mr. Adams leaving with Carnation milk, they having just gone home from the Baptist with the new baby.

Tuesday, October 21, 1941

I couldn't go to sleep for a long time last night. Then we got up at five, being careful not to awaken the children. We wanted to get away before seven if possible, had breakfast off of hand and would have made it had I not happened to go to the basement to take a pan of starch for Mame. I heard a sizzling noise and discovered that a water pipe had sprung a leak. I called Mr. Hart, he came over, said that the hardware man could put a lead nail in it. At any rate, we had to leave if we were to get to the hospital before 7:30. Both Mother and Mrs. Houchens were going. David was supposed to play with Ann Tritt while Mother was gone. He started crying dreadfully though-didn't want me to go without him. I had to stop the car on the street and go back to kiss him the second time. Of course Mame was there until he went over to Ann's.

We reached the hospital at 7:20. John's nurse was already on and shooed us out of the room as he had had a pill and a hypodermic and she wanted him to get to sleep. Shortly after 7:30 Rev. Couey came and we went in and he said a short prayer.

Right after he left,Mr. Cooke, John's S.S. teacher came, and spoke to him. At 10 of 8 they took him up to the operating room. He waved to me as he went up the hall, and again as he got on the elevator.

Then began 2 ½ long hours. It was 20 after ten and when they brought him down. Mr. Cook stayed that entire time with Mother, Mrs. Houchens and me. Part of the time I stayed in the room finding solace in "The Lord is my refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble." His nurse, Mrs. Buckner, came down to report, when he had been up about an hour and a half, that all was going well-and then again told us 10 or 15 minutes before he came down that he would be down in 15 or 20 minutes.

The nurse had his bed all ready for him, with cotton sheet blankets and hot water bottles. It hurt me to look at him. He had something in his mouth-a clamp to hold his tongue. Mrs. Houchens couldn't stay in the room because of the sickening sweet odor of the ether. For that matter the nurse didn't want us much.

Mother had asked Cousin Mary to come for her at 10 or thereabouts and take her home. She came, but locked her key in the car and had to drive our car home to get another key. It was about 11 when Mother finally went home.

Mrs. Houchens and I had taken a thermos bottle of hot coffee and some sandwiches for our lunch. We went to the car to eat. He still hadn't come from under the influence of the ether before we ate. Dr. Sanders, the anesthetist, explained when he brought him down that he was in an unusually deep sleep because of the length of time

230 that they had to take. He was the first to tell what they found. He first told me an "acute gall bladder" then corrected himself and said a "sub-acute gallbladder". He said that they also found that he had trouble in his appendix. Dr. Morris was the next one to come (this wasn't long after he was brought down) and he said that they found seven stones.

Finally Dr. Hagan came. He told me that it was one of the most tedious and worst of the sort of operations that he had ever had. First they found the appendix, giving evidence of past trouble, bound round with adhesions. They removed that; then found the gallbladder, "plastered with scar tissue" as he expressed it and with "6 or 8" stones, he said.

Not until after we had eaten lunch did he begin to come from under his ether. As soon as he did regain consciousness somewhat they immediately gave him a hypodermic and he went right back to sleep. Before he regained consciousness they gave him glucose intra-veinously [sic] in his right arm-- this afternoon more glucose in the tissues of his legs.

At three Miss Buckner went off-duty and Miss Hazenstab (Mrs. Falkenberg) came on. She is a younger nurse-from last spring's graduating class-due to take her State Board exam next week.

John seemed to sleep well from his hypodermics-at first he merely said "hurts"- "sore" or some such, but before the day was over he finally asked about the children. Toward night he asked if it were the first day. He never did seem to want to know what they found. Finally tonight I told him they found gallstones and he asked me if I found the stones.

Mrs. Houchens and I got some supper in the cafeteria downstairs-had to be through by 5:15 as they were closing the cafeteria because of a staff meeting.

Shortly after we ate supper, the Wilkinsons came. A bit later Dr. Yates of the seminary, supplying as pastor of Walnut Street Church, came. He didn't find out in time to be there this morning. He is very nice. Some later Sam, Claudine and Margaret came, and after their departure Jean and Betsy, unaccompanied by Martha.

Mrs. Houchens and I had thought of staying until 11 when Mrs. Kennedy came on, but we were so tired, and John seemed to be sleeping well, that we finally decided to go on home shortly after nine. I went up Poplar Level Road, as Mrs. Houchens was with me, and when we were on Hess Lane near Eagle Pass a car coming toward us suddenly turned into Eagle Pass, turned around, told us to "hold it", stopped ahead of us, and then I noticed that someone was lying over on the side of the road hurt. Other cars were stopping, and we had to wait while they loaded a man and a girl lying further down the bank into cars to take them to the hospital. Glass was there. We didn't see the car that hit them.

231 At home there was a special delivery letter for John from DuPont concerning Fred Hodapp. I called Mr. Hammons and made arrangements about it.

David was all right after we left today. Of course they had long been asleep when we got here. Mrs. Hart was over talking to Mother.

Mr. Cooke called again tonight to enquire about John.

Wednesday, October 22, 1941

Mame came back again today as the weather we decided was all right for washing curtains. In fact the day has been beautiful, sunny, balmy, and almost hot.

I called Mrs. Kennedy at 6:30 and asked about John. She said that he had a reasonably good night-that he vomited twice.

Mrs. Houchens and I went to the hospital about nine. Shortly after we were there Dr. McBee came, went in, spoke to John, immediately said "Good-bye" to him-came out and talked to us for a moment.

Later, around 11, George Redding came. He had called yesterday to say that they were in Lexington when my note arrived. He went in and said a word of prayer with John.

Mrs. Houchens sat with John while Miss Buckner was at lunch and I talked with George. Miss Watkins called while George was here. She had already called Mother. She said that she prayed much for John yesterday, and remembered him in her morning and evening devotions. The prayers of so many good people have been instrumental in his standing the operation thus far so well, I feel.

Mrs. Houchens and I went to a lunchroom on Barret tonight and had good vegetable soup and coffee.

The Roberts with Martha, came back tonight and Cousin Mary Cobb.

This morning Miss Buckner went up to the laboratory and brought down John's gallstones. There were seven of them-one is slightly larger than the others-all almost as large around is the end of one's little finger. The largest one was rough and yellow-the other six also rough with more of a green tinge. Mr. Jones’ gallstone-he had only one- was larger-considerably, and was a very dark green.

At Mrs. Jones’ suggestion, Mrs. Houchens and I also went up to the laboratory and saw the gallbladder and appendix, which they say they will destroy shortly. The gallbladder was much smaller than I had imagined, the appendix also was small, with what looked like fat on it.

232 John has responded unusually well to the hypodermics sleeping, only rousing very occasionally. When he does, he asks some question usually about the children, his mother or so on.

When we got home Harris, Thelma and the baby had been here to see Mother.

I took the gallstones for the children to see.

Thursday, October 23, 1941

I put up the living room curtains that Mame ironed yesterday before I left for the hospital. Mrs. Houchens didn't go over this morning. Mary Antha Ellis stopped by to enquire about John. He has been having gas pain today. This has been his worst day, so far.

Dean Wilkinson also stopped by.

I ate lunch in the car. Sometime afterward Nancy Nazor came bringing lovely chrysanthemums. That was before Miss Buckner went off duty. After Miss Hasenstab came on, three pretty red roses came from Miss Watkins and Erwina.

While I was in the telephone booth talking to Mother, Mr. Couey came back to the sun room but didn't see me, the nurse said.

I finished Berlin Diary, returned it to Bornhauser's tonight. I went home for dinner, getting there at six o'clock. Mrs. Houchens came back with me and we stayed until almost 10. John was feeling some better than he had all day.

Friday, October 24, 1941

It was cooler-- made a fire in the furnace this morning. Mother and Mrs. Houchens hemmed Jane's winter coat up yesterday, let some of her school dresses down. It was a great help.

Mrs. Houchens came over to the hospital with me this morning. I had dismissed Miss Hasenstab for today.

John seemed to be feeling a great deal better. However he still has to be catharized (sic). Whether Dr. Hagan had forgotten or not that he had said that I could possibly let off all the nurses except the morning nurse today, he this morning said that I had better keep the night nurse on again tonight. Miss Buckner asked me if she was going to get off duty. She planned to go home if she were. She is Dawson Buckner, from Shelbyville. She said that her father was reported missing in France on the day that she was born, and her mother named her Dawson for him because she then thought that she would never have a son. The father was found though, and there is now a little boy, also John Dawson, so there are three Dawsons in her family.

233

Ruth Thomas and Zetta Powell came to see me this morning (members of my class).

Mrs. Houchens and I went home for lunch. I tried to thrash out the nursing problem-finally came back at three, resolved to keep Miss Kennedy-also to let Miss Collier and Dr. Hagan decide about Miss Buckner for tomorrow.

It would happen that on the first time that he didn't have a nurse, he had to be on the bedpan a lot, waiting for the orderly.

Then, when his tray came-this time with soup, tea, toast, baked potato, cottage cheese and peaches, he took a sip or so of soup and a bit of tea, then vomited.

While the nurse and I were straightening him up from that, Dr. Hagan came in. He said that he didn't need the cottage cheese and peaches, but for that matter he could eat nothing.

I was very conscious of being unable to make him comfortable. Dr. Hagan told Ms. Collier to have Miss Buckner back this morning so she called her.

I was staying over until 11, when the night nurse came on. At eight the nurse in charge on the floor gave him a hypodermic.

Jean, Betsy and Martha came, Claudine along with them. They left Martha here to drive home with me at 11 o'clock.

At five o’clock Mr. Steele, the man across the hall from John who fell out of the Brown Hotel died. The son and wife from Lexington were particularly nice.

Saturday, October 25, 1941

John had the best night that he has yet had, according to Mrs. Kennedy. He looked better this morning. Mother came over with me, the first time she had been since the morning of the operation. John read the paper a little-saw about Mr. Steele's death. He asked if I knew that, and I said yes that I read it in the paper-and told him that Mr. Steele died right across the hall yesterday afternoon.

A Mr. P.L. Young from London had his leg amputated this morning.

Mother and I went home for lunch stopping en route at Steiden's. As soon as lunch was over I went to the A&P to do the weekend shopping. When I got home before I started to the hospital, there was a perfectly gorgeous bunch of dahlias from the Seeders.

234 I came on to the hospital, getting here just at three as Miss Buckner was leaving. She told me that John had used the urinal. I am writing at the hospital now, am staying here tonight. He seems to be doing pretty well now, except that he has some indigestion and cannot take much food. However, he did eat part of his poached egg on toast, most of it, in fact-and a little orange sherbert.

He has had no hypodermics today. Dr. Hagan cut them out this morning. He hasn't had them so frequently as some patients anyhow, according to the nurse.

When I got here this afternoon there was a lovely bunch of chrysanthemums with three yellow rosebuds from Sam and Claudine. Shortly there came an exquisite basketful from Marret and Miller, sent by John and Maude Thomas. We were getting pretty crowded when here came the nurse, Mrs. Jones, again, bearing red roses from the Triangle Fraternity. A pretty potted plant from the Vanderhaars and Miss Jones had to go out and find a table. Then gave an enormous mixed bunch from Mr. Cooke.

Ed Waller came this afternoon for a minute and Dr. Yates tonight. The latter offered a beautiful prayer. We have a "no visitors" sign on the door.

Sunday, October 26, 1941

Papa called Mother last night to tell her that Brother was coming this morning and Papa with her-that Mother needn't go home on the train.

I stayed at the hospital on a cot. John slept fairly well. He had a capsule at 8:30, slept until 10:30, then until 12:30, was awake from then until one. The nurse in charge was going to give him another capsule, but he dropped off to sleep, slept until 4:30, and was awake, went back to sleep and slept until six when the orderly came and gave him an enema.

I came home for breakfast shortly after seven-came back over shortly after nine. More flowers came-lavender asters and butterfly bush from the Ayers, tube roses, snapdragons and asters or chrysanthemums from the Wilkinsons. Papa and Brother came by on their way for Mother and we heard with deep regret that Ermine has been sick for some two weeks with a thyroid disturbance.

Mother has given me half a dollar to pay for my dinner, so I ate a chicken dinner in the cafeteria, sitting at the table with Mrs. Nanney, whose husband was hurt over at Charlestown. I was back up in the room feeding John his dinner and Brother, Papa and Mother came back by on their way home. Brother had given each of the children a dime and had left a penny each to be given them, taking the dimes away, in case they have fights.

Harris came by to see John this afternoon. He stayed with John while I ran down to the car to see Thelma and the baby. Later she and Tommie ran up to see John for a minute. We do have a "no visitors" sign on the door. Mr. Merritt, one of the students

235 over at school, also came in to see him. We were embarrassed after he left that we hadn't thanked him for the red roses which his fraternity sent.

Shortly before five I came home to get the children and Mrs. Houchens and take them to the hospital. John hadn't seen the children since last Monday night. When we got there the Roberts and Martha were there and Mrs. Wilkinson and the Ayers had been. They left shortly and the Fifes came, as they were to drive Mrs. Houchens and the children home. Claudine stayed to come home with me. The Bennetts came in to see John, being in the hospital to see Mrs. Pirtle. John finally had to take a capsule to go to sleep. Claudine and I went up to see the babies, came home at ten.

Monday, October 27, 1941

Jean's birthday. [ed.- Jean Roberts]

I got over to the hospital around ten this morning. John seemed to feel all right. Dr. Hagan had talked to us a long time last night though and told us that he is going to take John up to the x-ray room in a day or so to make a picture to see whether there may be a stone in the common duct.

I went in to introduce my self to Mrs. Pirtle this morning, met Mrs.Gathright there, a daughter-in-law of the patient of Dr. Hagan's (gallbladder) on the fourth floor.

I also went up to the fifth floor and saw Miss Risse.

I had planned to go home for supper but was late getting there tonight, as I waited to feed John his supper here first. It is too hard a trip, coming back and forth. Betsy went back to the hospital with me. John wasn't feeling so well. His temperature had gone on to 100. Also, he had eaten very little supper. However, he finally went to sleep without a capsule, and Betsy and I came home shortly after nine.

The Coueys brought by some roses and chrysanthemums from church last night for me to take him this morning.

Tuesday, October 28, 1941

I had so much to do here at home this morning that I didn't get to leave very early.

Let me take time out from today to say that Thelma called yesterday morning to say that she had heard my name called on the Walnetto program between 7:15 and 7:30 this morning as the winner of one of their wristwatches-for a jingle I sent in. In the mail today I got a confirmation by letter.

I went by the hardware store on the way to the hospital to pay that water pipe bill, and it was $2.75.

236 John felt better today. I spent a good portion of the day writing letters and notes. Miss Allison this morning had to discard Nancy Nazor's flowers, Miss Watkins' and Erwina's roses, Mr. Seeder's dahlias and the Coueys' church flowers. The room really looked better not to be so crowded.

Robert Allston had an operation there this morning (Dr. Hagan).

Jean and Betsy sent some beautiful chrysanthemums this afternoon.

Mr. Watson came in to see John this afternoon, and Cousin Mary Jones tonight. Mr. Herbert, the piano tuner, also talked at length to him tonight.

I went up on Barret Avenue to the cafeteria and had pecan pie and coffee tonight. I came back with Mrs. Searcy (or she came with me), her son being a former Speed student.

Wednesday, October 29, 1941

This has been a hard day. To begin with, John felt that the car should have Prestone. I went to town to the Firestone place first, bought gas, couldn't get the Prestone put in then, went to the bank, Stewart's and Kaufman's, had my coat sent out, bought some baby gifts, went back to the car, had the Prestone put in, got some apples at the Haymarket, returned books to the library, then came to the hospital. Not until then did I go home for lunch, after fixing John's flowers.

At home I ate lunch, then we took the children by Claudine's and Mrs. Houchens and I both came to the hospital. I hadn't read the morning paper, brought it to John for him to read. He was reading, said "Honey, did you see this?" The tone of his voice implied something particularly significant, and I went to the bed to look. There in the paper was an account of Brother being in St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington with a compound fracture of his leg secured when he stepped into the path of a car in Williamstown. The driver of the car was not held.

This is terribly upsetting news. I endured the suspense as long as possible, then called Papa. He had just returned from Lexington, had left Mother there. He said that Brother was terribly banged up, his face cut, his ankle mashed, his leg broken twice above the ankle-his bad ankle, the one that was hurt as a child. I felt sick, as though a chill were coming on. Miss Risse had gone in to see John. I felt at first as though I couldn't go in the room where John was.

Mrs. Houchens and I got a bite to eat up the street at the cafeteria. Afterwards I wrote Brother, Ermine and Mother. The Bennetts came in. Mrs. Houchens and I left, went by the Fifes, picked up the children, went over on Third to mail my letters, came back by the A&P to get bread, got home about nine. Shortly after we got there Mother called from Lexington. She was at Jim's. She said that Brother had the flu, started home with a chill, didn't remember anything after he got out of the car. She said that his leg

237 was broken twice above the ankle and in the ankle. They hadn't told Ermine until tonight. She also is in the hospital, nervous and crying as she did before her goitre [sic] operation. Mother said that they took Brother to Dr. Bullock, and he turned him over to Dr.Garr. She said that Brother was very cheerful.

I could tell that Mother herself was about all in. She said that she will go home tomorrow if he seems better.

Thursday, October 30, 1941

Stella came this morning but seeming to sense our feelings, didn't talk as much as usual.

I had planned to go to the hospital later. Martha called however from the hospital, having gotten a ride with the Masons. We tried to arrange how to get Mrs. Houchens to the hospital. Finally it was decided that I go on to Dr. Kerr promptly at eleven for my cold shot, then take her. I got to his house before eleven and had my shot very shortly, then took her. We came home and went with the children down on the Parkway to get the kitten, up a tree down there. She had stayed out last night. We talked with Mr. Kelly and Mrs.Scharre about John on the way down. A number of people called about Brother- Cousin Mary, Mrs. Everhard, Mildred Hale, Thelma.

I worked on a Halloween clown suit for David. It became rainy. Harris brought Mrs. Houchens home about four. I was very tired, but went to the hospital, wrote Mother a long letter. The night was bad, very rainy, for driving, so I came on home early.

Mrs. Curry and Jimmie came by for a few minutes tonight.

I went by the University to get John's check today, and after the laundry.

The children are highly excited over Halloween. This morning I made them some jack-o'-lanterns.

Friday, October 31, 1941

I received a letter from Mother this morning, written from Lexington yesterday. She said they had a nurse with Brother Wednesday night, and that he had to have hypodermics all night. Jim took her there as the nurse was leaving. She told me on the phone that the cut on is nose seemed to be almost all the way through, but the doctor said that it wasn't broken. Poor Mother! It is so hard on her, as on them all.

I worked on the children's Halloween costumes, didn't go to the hospital until after I had eaten my lunch. I stayed until after five, writing Mother another letter; John's bile tube isn't draining today for some reason.

I have the beginnings of a cold, and David has a cold.

238

I went home for dinner, taking hamburgers and doughnuts.

I had made David an orange and black paper clown costume. For Jane I rigged up an old black dress of mine made her a black paper cape, and a black witch’s hat. We got ready and went to the hospital. Unfortunately, Jane's hat didn't want to stay on.

Mrs. Houchens and I waited in the hall while they went in to see their daddy. David thought their daddy wouldn't know them, and John pretended not to. Miss Smith, the supervisor in charge, took them around the floor to the various patients’ rooms. Then I took their costumes off. Allie and Laura Moore Ransdell came to see John.

Miss Jones, one of the nurses, had told us that the nurses were having a Halloween party at the nurses’ home tonight. As we went to the car we stopped to look in at the decorations. It was a bit spooky-looking. The girls urged us to come down and look-they were bobbing for apples-but Jane was afraid to go down, even with me. One girl was costumed as a ghost. David was persuaded to go down.

Saturday, November 1, 1941

There was a card from Mother written from Owenton this morning, and a News Herald. The card didn't relieve my anxiety greatly about Brother. I went to the grocery stores, did my week-end shopping. Then I took sandwiches and a thermos of coffee, went to hospital. John had two cards from Mrs. Harrell. She said that Brother was getting along all right according to Dr. Bullock, but that he complained of the "soft bed" and has little appetite. Ermine was up in the air, she said, because they were using x-ray on her and she was imagining things.

Mr. Jones was up in a wheelchair today-came in to see John. Dr. Hagan told him that he was destroying John's morale.

The Hargroves were here this afternoon. Lemira had a gallbladder operation some years ago. I asked her if she could eat anything now and she said anything short of ten penny nails.

Cousin Ray and Mary had sent John some pretty red chrysanthemums and daisies and tonight came lovely dark red chrysanthemums from the Hudsons --Percy and Julia. The nurse who brought them put them in warm water.

I sent Mother a special delivery letter in care of the hospital tonight. I ate some chicken soup and Jell-O salad in the cafeteria downstairs, ate more since I came home.

Sunday, November 2, 1941

The day has been some warmer, sunny. I came over to the hospital about 10 this morning brought John the paper and clean pajamas. Adeline Cubbage came to see him.

239 John wasn't feeling so good. Dr. Hagan came in, changed his dressing again, found that there was a little infection and pus around one of the stitches.

I went home for dinner. Then we got the children ready and came back over to the hospital, having arranged with the Roberts to pick the children and Mrs. Houchens up. Grover Corley was there when we arrived, having brought him some lovely homegrown roses. Other people came in-the Macintoshes and Johnnie, Mr. Lear, the Roberts, Mr. Parrent, Mr. Cooke, the Wendts, and the Fifes.

Tonight I went up to see the babies again-discovered that the Gossards have a new baby boy born Thursday. I talked with him, and he came down to see John.

When I got home I talked with Thelma, who had been home.

They saw Papa. He said that Brother had gotten along better than they had expected. Mother is staying there, has a cot, sleeps in his room, takes her meals in the hospital. Thelma said that he was unconscious from Tuesday night at seven until Wednesday morning at seven, and they feared a possible skull fracture, afterwards decided that it was the high temperature resulting from his flu that caused it.

Monday, November 3, 1941

I stayed at home this morning. Mrs. Houchens and I washed. I got to the hospital about two. Dr. Hagan, at John’s insistence, has finally permitted him to be up in a wheel chair right now (between 3 and 3:30).

Later: while we were in the sun porch Cousin Will and Ally Keightly surprised us by coming to see John. We were so pleased that they did this. Afterwards Bobby Green came, before dinner. I made some calls on Mr. Botto, shot at Adler's about three weeks ago, on Mrs. Lear, on Bob Allston, on a Mrs. Harris about whom Cousin Ally told me.

I have been worried because I didn't hear from Mother today.

Tuesday, November 4, 1941

Jimmie Hart is sick this week. I had planned to go to the hospital this morning, so gave Jane a car check when she left and told her that I would call school if I wanted her to come home on the bus. Thinking about it during the morning I hated for her to ride alone, so stayed here and went to meet her. The children on the bus are let out a little early, so as I drove up to the Parkway toward Oriole here came the bus with Jane smiling, so she hadn't waited for me to call her but had taken advantage of her desire to ride the bus and had done so.

David has had some cold, and last night developed a high fever-about 101 3/5. We have kept him on the davenport today, giving him aspirin, ginger ale and such.

240 This was Election Day, John's name being on the ballot for the incorporated Audubon Park.

I finally heard from Mother this morning, two letters this morning and a card this afternoon. The letters were written Sunday and the card yesterday. Brother was suffering with his leg more than he had. She talked as though he has had a dreadful lot of company, but seems to be doing better than the doctors expected him to. Ermine also is better.

I went to the hospital immediately after lunch. John sat up a little longer today -- about an hour, but doesn't stand on his feet. McKinley and another orderly lift him from his bed to the chair.

Mr. Vanderhaar came in to see him tonight, then Dr. and Mrs. Jaynes.

Wednesday, November 5, 1941

I went over to the hospital between 10:30 and 11. Mame was here, David was better. Jimmy Sublett had been in to see John.

Mr. Jones went home this afternoon. He is seemingly fit and fine. He is John Bunyan Jones. He went to Berea and Cumberland-about 1937.

John was up in the wheel chair. He was up about 4:00. And about 4:15 I went home to get Mrs. Houchens and the children and bring them back in to see the Crumes -- two daughters, from Cox's Creek near Bardstown. One of them was an appendectomy patient there at the Baptist when David was up there, and thought so much of Jane.

Lowell and Isla Deatherage came to see John just before dinner time.

We came home about seven, as the children were making John nervous.

Thursday, November 6, 1941

Was fairly warm this morning, and I let Jane wear her spring coat to school to my sorrow, for it turned much colder during the morning and the poor child came home on the bus, getting very cold when she waited to transfer.

I went down to Cooke's Chevrolet to have some permanent antifreeze in the car, since I couldn't get more Prestone. I made a big mistake in having it drained out, as John told me when I got to the hospital. I got up with a bad headache this morning, ate neither breakfast or lunch.

They took John up to the x-ray rooms and made more pictures this afternoon. I went to see Mrs. Gossard, also Dr. Pickett on that floor. She told me I was lucky to have

241 John if he had been badly jaundiced. Said that Dr. Hagan was a wonderful surgeon and a good churchman. I also went to see Mrs. Pirtle.

Mrs. Kent was in to see John this afternoon.

I came back home in time for dinner, as the night was miserable.

Mr. Witherspoon, from Lawrenceburg is now next-door-- broken hip. He has a nurse in the evening who was in training when David was here. She introduced herself or rather reminded me.

Friday, November 7, 1941

Jane had a rather bad night-complained of her ear. I am afraid yesterday's exposure did it. I kept her on the davenport today didn't let her go to school for the first time. She was upset. However I went by school and got her papers for her to write. Miss Florence told me that she would be glad if she had more who did as good work as Jane.

I went to the hospital about 10:30. Dr. Hagan came in shortly to change John's dressing. When they had finished and I went in, I asked about the x-ray. It showed a shadow which indicated a stone in the common duct, although they cannot be sure. John is terribly depressed. However Dr. Hagan pointed out that it possibly may be dissolved (they are studying the makeup of the other stones), or drained out, in case it isn't enclosed in a cyst adhering to the wall of the duct. If they could do nothing with it that way, then there would be nothing to do but go in there and get it.

He took the "cigarette" drain out today, left the long one in. I can tell that John won't get to come home the first of the week.

I came home for dinner, went back about four. Poor John had broken down completely his morning, was still depressed this afternoon. Mr. Wendt came in for a while.

While I was up talking to Mrs.Gossard, Miss May came in. She was about David's favorite nurse-or my favorite-when he was there.

As I returned to the room I saw Dr. Hagan-told him that John was in the depths-so he and Dr. Kinsman did what they could to cheer him up.

Mr. Wallace from Shelbyville came in tonight and talked. He is a brother of Tom Wallace.

242 Saturday, November 8, 1941

Thelma insisted upon sending Stella to work for us today. Since she could be here with the children-I am still keeping Jane on the davenport,-Mrs. Houchens and I both went to the hospital, going by to get Mary Jones and taking her with us.

We came home at noon.

I had meant to get my groceries before I went back, but the gas stove and water heater went out, the gas going off with a large pop. I called Mr. Schroeder over, and he finally got the stove going, but couldn't get the heater to work. I was on the point of getting a plumber, but had Jean come over, went down with him to see about it, and it lighted.

It was so late them and I went along to the hospital-got there too late to see the Gossards go home with their baby.

Sam came in to see John. He got to walk this afternoon-had already walked a little bit before I came back, and walked with Sam and me down the hall and back.

Mrs. Houchens called to tell me that she had called home, and that A.J., Ruth, Aunt Sue and Thomas are coming tomorrow, so I left the hospital about eight and went to get my groceries. It has been snowing.

Sunday, November 9, 1941

I did a few things last night in preparation for today's dinner, then Mrs. Houchens and I both worked this morning, got things in shape and I took the paper to John.

Mrs. Houchens called me at twelve or shortly before to say that the folks were there.

I went home. We shortly had dinner, and then almost immediately afterwards had to leave, as the folks had to get started home early. I got Alma Jean to stay with the children while we were at the hospital, as I didn't think they had better go out today. Later Mrs. Houchens and I led A.J. to Main Street (U.S. 42) then I brought her home, took Alma Jean home, got back to the hospital in time to see Miss Watkins and Erwina who had come as I was leaving. Mr. Fenwick had also been there, and Elmer and Callie, Carol Batts and his wife.

Mrs. Hoertz and her son also came in.

I was planning to stay over this evening, but Mrs. Houchens called to say that Jane had a chill and seemed feverish. I went straight home, found that she had a temperature of 103. I gave her aspirin put her in bed and tried to quiet her. She

243 complained of her head hurting terribly. In a short time her temperature had dropped to normal, but this was not until after she had vomited.

Betsy called to enquire about her, as Jean had been to the hospital and John had told him.

Monday, November 10, 1941

Jane slept peacefully all night, with no more aspirin, no more temperature rise. This morning she looked peaked but seemed to be fairly good. Miss Florence called to see if Jane was coming tonight. That was the first thing she had talked about this morning. After due consultation with her grandmother and daddy we agreed to let her go tonight if she had no more temperature rise.

I went to the hospital to see John, but didn't stay so long, coming home for lunch and not going back-instead taking the laundry, getting gas in the car, and so on.

Mrs. Houchens didn't care to go tonight, but David wanted to, so we went out about seven-looked at the children's work displayed on their desks-Jane's workbook is so neat (I hadn't seen it after she started work on it), then went to the auditorium. Jane wore her dress with Jane on it, but she looked rather wan and big-eyed. David sat on my lap. I discovered soon after sitting down that my bracelet was missing.

The band played first. Then there were four little speeches-three little boys, one of them being Jimmy Curry, and Margaret Fife. Margaret was very dignified and sweet and made a cute curtsy at the end. Jimmie brought down the house. He was really cute.

Tuesday, November 11, 1941

I went out to school and went to the hospital to see if I could find my bracelet. There is no school today and I could find no trace.

When Dr. Hagan came in today he asked John if he had been doing a lot of walking around yesterday. It seems that he had some rise in temperature, and Dr. Hagan isn't willing for him to go home. He's staying in bed more closely today.

I went home for lunch, then back to the hospital at three. I read to Mrs. Pirtle a while, then Miss Lovell (Trade School) came bringing chrysanthemums. Later, I finished reading to Mrs. Pirtle and she sent her radio in to John.

Tonight the Corleys came bringing the last of their roses. After they left Mr. Adams came.

244 Wednesday, November 12, 1941

We got up at six this morning. I took Jane and the Hart children out. The janitor had found my bracelet on the back step, for which I am truly thankful.

The day was gloriously sunny for a change.

David played with Ann. I found that Mr. Tritt is going to St. Joseph's for a double hernia operation.

I went over to the hospital about 10:30. John has a sty on his eye-is very impatient and restless, wanting to go home. I didn't stay long, as I was supposed to take Mrs.Jaynes back this afternoon. I came home for lunch, then picked up Mrs. Jaynes. While she was there Verna Tucker Ratcliffe came. She went with me to the University to take Mrs. Jaynes back then stayed at the hospital a while.

Dr. Hagan called this afternoon, then confirmed tonight that he wants John to stay another day or so to try clamping the tube off most of the time.

Mr. Elwanger came in to see him tonight.

Mrs. Houchens said that the children ate well after being out in the open air today. Jane played out this afternoon also.

Thursday, November 13, 1941

Stella came bringing the children a whistle and a bell. She really worked today- even washed the car this afternoon. I went over to the hospital about 10:15. John told me that he thought Dr. Hagan would let him go home this afternoon. I thought that he wouldn't, and sure enough when Dr. Hagan came he said that Dr. Morse would be back from St. Louis tonight or tomorrow morning and that they would then decide about John.

I came back to Dr. Kerr for my cold shot about ten of twelve-also went for Jane and Jimmie at 12:30.

I went back over about four this afternoon. Oscar and Frances Orr had stopped to see John, and shortly after I came the Coueys made a dashing visit.

Tonight just after we had eaten (I took my thermos of coffee, etc. to eat with him). Mr. Hart and Sonny came. The former brought him another copy of Esquire.

David got hurt while I was gone. It seems that Dick the boy across the street, pushed him down on the garage floor over there-skinned his head.

245 Friday, November 14, 1941

I didn't get over to the hospital until about 11. When I went and John was just arranging with the nurses to call me to tell me not to come until afternoon, when he was coming home. They had started treatments to try to dissolve the stone, if that it be, in the gall duct. They injected ether into the tube in his side, because they found that ether dissolved his other stones. However they had to remain in it a long while, and Dr. Hagan is skeptical that the ether would remain in the gall duct long enough to have any effect. Dr. H. is turning him over to Dr. Morse for these treatments.

I came home for lunch, bringing some things with me. I went back to the hospital by way of the Lewellyn, getting there for him about 2:30. He was dressed but couldn't keep his clothes on, so loose were they. He got the barber to cut his hair this morning.

We told several people goodbye-Mr. Searcy, Mr. Botto, Mrs. Pirtle, the Crumes connections (Fowlers from Munfordville).

People we have liked particularly and would like to keep track of are:

Mr. & Mrs. John Bunyan Jones (Gall Bladder) Elizabethtown. Mr. Botto (shot), nephew of Mrs. Hoertz’ husband. Mrs. Willam B. Pirtle. Mr. & Mrs. Roland Steele, Lexington. Mr. Wallace, insurance man, Shelbyville. Mr. & Mrs. Tom Crume, Marian, other sister, Tom, Jr. Cox’s Creek or Bardstown. Mr. Crume’s niece, Mrs. Fowler from Munfordville-she was a McKay-two little girls- younger one had cleft palate operation-Drs. Hagan and Armstrong. Mr. & Mrs. Cannon from Lietchfield-Hernia and hemorrhoid operatin-Dr. Allen. Mr. Casley (S.R.)-36001 Norbourne Boulevard-kidney stone operation-his daughter a probationer in training there. Mr. Herbert-elderly man-younger son, Curtis A., 2104 Confederate Place-who is a piano tuner. Mr. Herbert had a bladder stone operation, followed by a pronate gland (ed.- prostate) operation. Mr. Searcy, who had two operations similar to Mr. Heerbert’s. Sue Cox-Dr. Cox’s daughter, a broken leg. Mr. Holly Witherspoon of Lawrenceburg, a broken hip. His daughter was wife of county clerk of Anderson County. Elderly lady-74-from Toledo, Ohio-two broken hips.

In regard to nurses Miss Jones, big and jolly, was nice as was Miss Allison and Miss Downing. Miss Hamilton, a graduate nurse was good.

We left about three, came direct home, slowly. John was very tired-went to bed, slept, but has been up tonight. More disconcerting thing that happened was the bile seeping out from his bandages somehow when clamped off.

246 I should also mention Mr. Nanney of Charlestown and Mr. P. L. Young of London (amputated leg) and Mr. Herrin, originally of Corbin, now a teacher at Bryant and Stratton.

Saturday, November 15, 1941

This has been a strenuous day for John. The children and I went to the grocery store. When we returned John had talked to Dr. Hagan and the latter wanted him to come to his office for him to change his dressings, so I drove him down. He was very sore and uncomfortable, but miraculously felt much better after the new dressing was put on.

We came home, ate lunch, then at five of three we drove out to Dr. Morse's for John to have his ether treatment. We had to wait a long time, and he was pretty much done in by the treatment. We came back by the hospital and I ran up to the third floor to procure some gauze sponges. Miss Vance gave me four.

Jane and David were cross before supper and I had them sitting on chairs in their room. At supper I noticed that Jane looked back.(ed.- bad?) She complained that her stomach hurt said that David had kicked her in the stomach. Almost immediately after supper though she had a chill, followed by temperature at least as high as 103 1/5, even an hour after her aspirin, which usually reduces it. She complained of her head hurting. She is asleep now, but in a fitful fashion. David is coughing.

The Coueys were here when we returned from Dr. Morse's.

Sunday, November 16, 1941

Jane had a bad night. Her fever remained up in spite of the aspirin. I stayed in the living room on some chairs made into a bed except from 1:20 to about four, when I slept in my bed and she evidently slept after a fashion. I could hardly wait until morning, called Dr.Andrews at seven o'clock to come. Then I took Mrs. Houchens to the train at Baxter Avenue. Before that we had moved Jane to her bed. We left the house about 7:05 and I was back at 7:30.

Dr. Andrews was here by nine. He went in to see Jane-she was crying with what she called a crick in her neck-. He looked at her throat-asked me if she had ever had scarlet fever. I went pretty weak, but he examined her further said that she didn't have the symptoms of scarlet fever, but that she did have a bad throat, a "strep throat". He called the drugstore and ordered sulfathiazole for her-six tablets a day for four days. It's very contagious, and of course I am endeavoring to keep David out of her room, and of course John.

Her temperature has his stayed around 101 today. She has taken no food except orange juice once or twice.

247 This afternoon the Roberts came by, then the V.V. Cookes, but we couldn't invite them in because of the possible infection. John had walked out in the sun a little bit, was too exhausted to do more than a little of the back yard-then sat in the chair and listened to the radio a little.

I read the funnies to Jane, and John read them to David. I also read stories to her.

John went outside to talk the Roberts and the Cookes.

Monday, November 17, 1941

Jane's temperature has been normal today. Sulfathiazole gets in its work quickly. She has never complained of her throat at all, only of her back hurting, and the back of her neck. She called it a crick in her neck, and Dr. Andrews said that he sympathized because he had a stiff neck since the night before. When he left, David told him that he hoped he wouldn't have the cricket in his neck anymore.

By the hardest I washed a mammoth washing. I also had to give Jane an enema.

Since I couldn't leave Jane, Harris True kindly came by and drove him out to Dr. Morse’s for his ether treatment. Harris came bearing a huge box of fruit-oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, apples, grapes and pecans.

Tuesday, November 18, 1941

Jane vomited water this morning. Dr. A. had said that I could give her a little cereal and soup today, but I didn't get to offer her any, so upset was she. I called him and he said to give it to her rectally, so I gave it to her that way three times today. Each time however she begged to be let off from the rectal method-said that she couldn't move her back when I gave it that way. The three times that I gave it that way gave her enough rest from the nausea of the other, however, that I was able to feed her some cereal.

I had a letter from Mother this morning, one from Mrs. Houchens this afternoon.

David's hair was so long that I took him to the barbershop, left him while I went to Walgreens to get stamps. He didn't have to wait, was ready when I got back.

Wednesday, November 19, 1941

Mame was here today instead of yesterday. This was Jane's last day to take her sulfathiazole, to my joy and hers.

I took John to Dr. Morse's while Mame was here. We left home at 2:20, got there in time for John to be first at three o'clock. David had ordered a tent, soldiers and a tank like I had gotten Jimmie, spent a quarter of his money by us for them, so I went on to the

248 10 cent store and got them. I also bought a box of living room doll furniture for Jane, a little tree book and another small book for her "The Ducks of Dingle Dell".

John’s treatment was the most agonizing that he is had. It hurt me to hear, his groans of agony. Dr. Morse had to give him a whiff of something to allay the pain somewhat.

When we reached home Cousin Inez had sent a lovely big charlotte russe from a bakery.

I went to the grocery store after returning.

John's pain became worse instead of better. He ate a small bowl of cream of mushroom soup, ate one or two bites of the grapefruit, then went into a terrible session of pain, the most excruciating that he has ever had. He simply couldn't stand it, walked the floor, couldn't lie down. Then began some frenzied telephoning. I called Dr. Morse-- tried to get him to have Dr. Kerr come to give John a hypodermic, but the latter was tied up. Dr. Morse had capsules (opiate) sent from the drugstore. Before they arrived the pain was somewhat less, but still agonizing. Dr. Hagan called back -- I had called him -- and said that he would come and give him a hypodermic. He got here about 11. He said that the thing might have happened that we wanted-that the stone may have broken up. That however would be too good to be true. He left another hypodermic for me to give him.

David of course was asleep on the davenport through all this, Jane in her bed.

Thursday, November 20, 1941

Such a Thanksgiving! I gave John the other hypodermic at 10 of 4, He got through the night by the hardest, but is so sick. His temperature is up around 101 or 102. He has been unable to void except about one half cup full early this morning, very concentrated, and his bile has become dark again. He is very, very sore in his abdominal region. He has consumed quarts and quarts of water-no food of course, but vomits, or did twice this morning, once just before Dean Wilkinson came at 10 o'clock.

One very necessary task in front of me, in spite of John's illness, and that was giving Jane an enema. I got that done satisfactorily finally.

Mr. Hart mailed a letter to Mrs. Houshens and a card to Mother for me this afternoon.

Just after dark, Sam and Claudine came. They left Margaret in the car. Sam says that he won't cash the check for the night school class he has taught for John.

To bed at nine.

249

Friday, November 21, 1941

I could tell the David was going to have a bad night before he went to sleep on the davenport. He was full of cold, wheezing thrashing around. At 9:15 I had to get up when he cried out. Then for the next hour or so I was going to him constantly. I had given him aspirin, and he had two doses of Jane's ephedrine, but that didn't seem to help them. He had coughed finally almost with every breath as I read to them both in Jane's room. When he became almost croupy I got out the croup kettle around midnight, fashioned a tent over him, and kept it going an hour and 15 minutes. Then only did he become quiet and easy in his breathing. I lay at the other end of the davenport, but was afraid to let myself go to sleep. After I turned the kettle off and went to bed he continued to cough some more, as before the treatment, but not so badly.

John perspired most of the night -- volumes of moisture. I had to keep about two or three bath towels on his pillow and still the moisture went through. He also had to change his pajama coat during the night.

I talked to Dr. Hagan this morning. He thought that some doctor should see him so long as he is running a temperature, so I called Dr. Morse, and he came out between two and three. His temperature was only 99 when he was here.

I failed to say that I graduated Jane to the davenport this morning, and put David in his bed. I had Dr. Morse look at his throat. This morning I had talked to Dr. A. and he said that he didn't think that David could have gotten any infection from Jane yesterday (the first day that I let him go freely in her room)-to keep them quiet today and watch them. Dr. Morse said that his throat was somewhat red but he saw no sign of Jane's trouble. He told me to get several ounces of Cheracol cough syrup for him.

I washed this morning, as John had perspired so much and there were so many towels and bed linens.

By having all three of them in bed today I was running way behind on work and three trays to fix, the children's toilet arrangements-everything took so long. I hadn't washed the lunch dishes-run the vacuum or cleaned anything. It was between three and four. I looked out-spotted Estell, Martha-went to the door-saw Mother and Mrs. Houchens also. I could've cried about Mother coming. She has had such a difficult, harrowing, anxious time this fall. John was too sick to pay much attention to them-that is, to talk much. Estell and Martha didn't stay long. Mother and Mrs. Houchens remained, fell right to work picking up the loose ends.

John's temperature was 102 tonight.

Yesterday I took several kinds of leaves into Jane for her to identify by her tree book.

250 Saturday, November 22, 1941

John vomited several times this morning. I had tried a little egg for him, and baked potato last night-evidently a little too much for his digestion.

There was much to do, and we all kept busy. Jane was up, David also. He had a good night last night, coughed a little at the beginning, but I gave him 1 teaspoon of Cheracol when he awakened crying with his arm asleep, and it must have helped him for he slept peacefully the rest of the week.

I cannot seem to quit getting information from Mother about Brother. How I hope and pray that his leg will be all right.

Rain this afternoon. Mrs. Wilkinson and Sarah Ernst came by. After they left I went to the grocery store (Steiden's). It was dark and raining when I returned, and I was glad to be in out of the rain.

John has suddenly seemed to be better tonight, although his temperature was 101 tonight. He felt like talking some.

Sunday, November 23, 1941

Gladys Corley came by this morning bringing guinea for John and delicious coconut cake-the big Holland's Magazine recipe.

John continued to feel better. We have been amused at Jane. She has been ravenous, eating bread and cookies between breakfast and lunch, a big lunch and more bread this afternoon. Thursday night she ate three bowls of vegetable soup (Campbell's, which she loves-won't eat homemade).

John felt like shaving this morning, and I helped him bathe.

Harris, Thelma and the baby came by this afternoon. The two latter didn't come in because of the children's colds. We went out to the car to see Peggy. She is getting cute. Before they left, Dr. Kent came to see John-reassured him about his work. Surprise visit from Dr. Morse at noontime.

Later the Roberts came. Last week's Saturday Evening Post has a back with a little girl on it exactly like Martha.

Jane wanted to sleep on the cot in the dining room so is sleeping with Mother there tonight. The children are both in a big way. Surprise visit from Dr. Hagan tonight.

251 Monday, November 24, 1941

I drove Mother to Baxter Avenue to the train this morning. She was to get off at Worthville. Jane rode to school with the Harts, but I picked her up at noon. Jimmie didn't go, as he has some cold following his tonsil operation last week.

John has had no fever all day.

This afternoon I took the laundry, went to the bank, had John's glasses fixed and his watch crystal put on.

The Coueys came by tonight. The children were asleep so we were safe in looking at it and discussing Jane's Christmas doll and making plans for her dollhouse.

The man who took Dr.Litkenhous' place at school committed suicide today by taking poison.

Tuesday, November 25, 1941

John seems much better today. He has been up, probably too much. I changed his dressing again this morning. He talked to Dr. Hagan and he told him to walk around outside some to get his strength back.

Well I took the children to town this afternoon to see Santa-first of all, the big "laughing Santa" in Stewart's window then to Baach's where I bought Jane a velvet hat and muff-$7.98-to go with her coat set.

Then we went to Stewart's basement to see the live Santa. They thought they wanted to look around first and get ideas so they did. Jane talked to him first -- asked for three things-a refrigerator, a blackboard, and a loom to work beads on.

David asked for a farm-then said, "I have a granny out home, and she wants a sewing machine"-then he went into his other wants-a truck, boats, soldiers, and would have gone on had I not interrupted him. They took it all so seriously. Santa asked them to be good of course. Jane liked the desks very much, and David couldn't resist riding in the pedal cars. We also went to Kaufman's, then to the 10 cent store where they each bought a nickel's worth of candy out of their allowance money (their own selection) then by the library for books.

When we got home there was a card from Mother saying that Brother had eaten cabbage yesterday, distended his heart, and they were called there, but he was better.

252 Book # 24- November 26, 1941-January 4, 1942

253 Wednesday, November 26, 1941

The day has been long and full. It started as usual of late. We rushed to get Jane ready for school and she went with the Harts. I had called Ethel Lovell last night and told her that I would take her up on her offer to come by for David for nursery school. However before he was completely dressed-- I was making a gelatin dessert for dinner-- Lexington called. I thought that I couldn't stand the suspense while Mother got the right change for her call.

She told me that Brother wasn't so well-that as the day was so pretty she thought that possibly Cousin Inez and I could drive over. I told her that I didn't know whether Cousin Inez could come or not, but that I would come by bus if necessary.

I wasted no time-did get a gown and house coat in case I stayed overnight. When I drove out, David was standing in the yard, coated and hatted to go with Mrs. Lovell.

I drove to Cousin Inez’. We left at 9:30, were in front to St. Joseph's 11:15. We came in, saw Mother. The doctors had been here already. Brother has a blood clot in his lung. They seem to think it had passed his heart. Ermine is terribly distraught.

Cousin Inez and I got in the car and drove out to a florist on the Winchester Road to get flowers. I bought two dozen red roses, one dozen each for Paul and Ermine, at two dollars per dozen. Cousin Inez and Ray got yellow chrysanthemums for Brother, yellow rosebuds in a glass hat for Ermine. We came back to the hospital.

Going back to our time before we went to the florist, I went in to see Brother, was utterly discomposed to see him so flat on his back, so ashy-looking in color. He talked to me some. I told him that he was going to pull out of this. Cousin Inez merely spoke to him. The cafeteria had closed when we returned from the florist, so we went down to the corner. Edythe went too.

Starting this afternoon we are putting three nurses on for Brother. The first one came on at two, Mrs. Ready.

Roy Hollbrook brought Cousin Ola this afternoon.

I saw the doctors this afternoon-Dr. Garr, the bone specialist, and Dr. Kavanaugh, the medical man. Dr. Garr talked more freely, Dr. Kavanaugh being a bit brusque. Brother has a pulmonary infarct or infarction, meaning a blood clot. It formed in his leg, came up to his lung. They are making continual blood tests on Brother. His temperature today is 104. They do not know whether all the clot came up, or whether a piece of it broke off and there may be more to come.

Papa came out this afternoon. He was in Williamstown this morning, drove back to Owenton, and then came up here.

254

We ate downstairs in the cafeteria. Cousin Ola is staying all night.

I stayed with Brother while his nurse went to supper. He was giving directions all the time, wanted his ginger ale capped just so. I fed him his supper. He ate some dried apricots, drank his milk, ate a little ice cream. Papa sat in there a moment.

Jim came by for Cousin Inez and I to follow him home. They gave Brother a transfusion tonight.

Jim’s home is lovely.

Thursday, November 27, 1941

We had asked Birdie not to cook breakfast for us. However she did call us about 6:30 and had a delicious breakfast. Her two granddaughters were there. Jim took them to Frankfort. Cousin Inez and I dropped Birdie off at work.

We reached the hospital before the doctors had come. Miss Cropper was Brother's morning nurse.

Edythe met me when I went in, to tell me that Papa was sick. They had him back in room 122, in the room next to Brother’s. His is 120. Papa was in a wheelchair, but they got him in bed. Dr. Kavanaugh saw him in the course of the morning, said that it was his heart, as I feared. He complained of pain across the chest and around his heart. The mental strain plus all the driving-had been too much for him. Of course we didn't tell Brother and tried not to tell Ermine. Brother asked Mother once, "Where's dad?" And she replied, "Oh, you know how your dad is-- just bumming around".

Marie Geralds came by this morning and again this afternoon. I had called her from Birdie's.

We asked the doctors about getting donors for the transfusions. Edythe was sleeping, so I called the garage in Williamstown, talked with Mr. Kelly. In consequence, shortly after lunch seven men came to be tested, later two others. Harlan Ingram was already on the way here before I called and arrived about the same time as the men. Of the nine who were tested today, three were Brother’s type, Type 4. Raymond Green, Harlan and Mr. Vance. They took blood from Harlan and Mr. Vance to replace what was from the blood bank, asked Mr. Green to come back tomorrow morning.

His transfusion at two this afternoon frightened him terribly with its reaction at the end. He said that everything turned dark. Tonight I was with him toward the end of the time as Mrs.Ready gave it. They put the blood in first, and then saline solution, then this medicine Pentnucleotide. It went in last. When it did this awful feeling came over Brother again. Everything grew dark, he lost the use of his arms and legs, asked for the lights on and the door open. The nurse couldn't leave him. I turned on the light and

255 threw open the door. He wanted the doctor. I went to look for an intern, told the floor nurse to get him. I went back to the room. Brother asked, "Is he coming?" I said" Yes", but he didn't come. I came back out. They were so slow. The nurse thought the intern was in the recreation room. He finally came -- a tall sandy-haired young man with a very indifferent manner. He didn't seem alarmed. However, I started in and so did Edythe, working on the sister supervisor, Sister Mary Helena, to have an intern in the room tomorrow. She is going to do her best, and we are going to work on Dr. Kavanaugh, too. Brother’s 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. nurse is Miss Cropper.

Cousin Inez returned to the Louisville this afternoon, taking Cousin Ola as far as Frankfort. I sent John a long letter.

Cousin Gus, Bro., Robinson, others that I can't remember came by.

Friday, November 28, 1941

I stayed last night across the street at Mrs. Crume's --went over about 6:45. Papa was better, said that he was going to get up. In fact he did get up, put his clothes on, and said that he was going to drive to Owenton. Mother and I could do nothing with him. Dr. Kavanaugh turned him over to Sister Mary Helena. She went in the waiting room where he was, and as I stood in the hall the first thing I knew she was taking him back to bed. They came down the hall, she with his overcoat over her arm and Papa said, "Well she's making me go back to bed."

Mother stayed in the room with brother again last night. She sleeps when he sleeps, is awake when he is awake. Beginning last night he is irrational a lot of the time. The doctors however, Dr. Garr and Dr. Kavanaugh, both insisted this morning that he is a little better.

I stood in the room while mother was there this morning and he tried to tell us how he dreads the blood transfusions. He said that he knew when everything got dark and he lost the use of his arms and legs that he was getting near the soil.

He asked about John-has rational moments.

There was a S.S. card today from my S.S. class to him. I sent it in by Miss Cropper and she read it to him. I heard him say, "My sister's church".

He again asked about Papa today, again asked mother "where did Dad sleep last night?"

I received special delivery this afternoon from John and Miss Watkins. The news from home at least is bright. John's x-rays yesterday morning Dr. Hagan in his ultra- conservatism wouldn't get a positive declaration on, but the doctors could find no trace of his stone, and think that it passed with the attack last night, especially when he started getting better from a given minute (on Saturday night). The children are all right.

256

I stayed in the room with brother tonight while his nurse was out for something. I saw that on Wednesday his temperature was near 105. On Tuesday it was 104 plus but lower Friday night-today it was 103 plus but his pulse is 130 as compared to 70 or 80 this time last week.

Ermine comes down in a wheel chair, goes in and sits with him, holds his hand. It is hard for her.

The doctors aren't in the least concerned with his leg anymore, nor with the clot. They think it has done all that it can. The trouble now is the lack of white blood corpuscles. It seems that the sulfathiazole which they gave him to keep down infection in his leg has caused his bone marrow to stop making white cells. They (the doctors) were encouraging tonight because he had made one. He didn't have in. Dr. Kavanaugh said that Dr.Doane, the eminent Cleveland blood specialist, was so pleased when a patient sent from here to Cleveland manufactured one that he called Dr. Kavanaugh from Cleveland to tell him.

I was writing John tonight when he called me.

Mr. Green gave a pint of blood this morning. Mr. McElroy is to give a pint tomorrow morning. For any other disease they can use blood from the blood bank, but for this they want fresh blood.

Saturday, November 29, 1941

Brother is so terribly sick. Even when I arrived on Wednesday I was struck by his ashy color. Now he has ulcers in his throat. They go with the disease. It is such a rare blood disease that Dr. Reed, the young intern helping Dr. Kavanaugh on the case, said that in two years he has been in the hospital he hasn't seen a case of it. It is called agranulocytosis.

Brother continues to drink a little milk, take a little cereal and food.

This morning as Edythe and I stood with him he asked, "Did you see that old couple?" We agreed with him that we did. He said "I feel sorry for them. Give them two dollars". We set all right. He still had it in his mind though and asked us later, "Did you give them the money?" And we said yes.

He talks so much about his business. Mother said that he said once,"Hade must have more sleep-- see that he gets!" He also said, "That won't do. You'll have to give a check for a thousand dollars."

When Ermine was in there today he asked her if she had had her hair done, told her that it looked pretty. Mr. Nelson and John Young Brown both tested type 4 for transfusions today. Mrs. Caldwell's nephew and Roy Wood were the wrong type.

257

I went down to the corner for lunch today instead of the cafeteria. Sometimes we can eat, sometimes not. Edythe stays up with Ermine all night, sleeps as much as she can during the day. Edythe is marvelous. Ermine's aunt, Mrs. Powel, has been fine, too. Poor Mrs. Harrell [ed.- mother of Edythe and Ermine] is as emotional as Ermine.

This morning Dr. Kavanaugh told me that he would call Dr. Doane in Cleveland if we wanted him to. He called him by telephone. Dr. Doane is the outstanding blood disease specialist in the country. Dr. Doane could suggest nothing that they aren't already doing-- transfusions and this [pent-?]medicine. He was rather optimistic though -- said that if we tide him over several days until the white cells begin to be made he could pull through. He said that he has had patients go 12 to 14 days before they started building these.

Cousin Ray, Mary and Inez came this afternoon. They brought me a suitcase with some things and a letter from John. Cousin Inez had taken John to the doctor this morning. His x-ray seems to be all right.

Sue Renaker (Mrs. Ingles) came and brought Brother flowers-chrysanthemums.

Hade, Eva and Ben were here tonight-also Sammie, wife and children-all Brother’s helpers.

He is so sick and so sweet. He rolls his head on the pillow, keeps his hands going, fix at the bed clothes. I had this notebook in there with me, and he tried to see what it was. I told him, "It's a notebook".

Dr. Kavanaugh asked me today if I wanted anybody from Louisville. I considered and mentioned Dr. Kinsman. Dr. Kavanaugh said, “Yes, Kinsman's fine." Decide if you want him.

I could see no use in it though. There is no question about the diagnosis, and they are doing all they know. As Dr. K. said "Dr. Doane is the last word.”

Papa got up and slipped away-drove to Owenton this morning. We didn't even know where he was until somebody called --whether there or in Williamstown. Hade told us tonight that he had seen him today.

Dr. Kavanaugh came in the waiting room and sat down to talk to Mother and me today. He said this is a bad thing that Papa has. It may hit him anytime and it won't be instant-- much pain and probably over a long period.

258 Sunday, November 30, 1941

I went over to Mrs.Crume's about 10:30 last night. Mother had rested over there earlier and then was going to bed in a hospital room there near the desk which the sister kindly let me have. For the first time she gave up not to try to sleep in the room with Brother, as his breathing was so labored and we felt that he needed all the oxygen possible.

I slept until about quarter of two, was lying there awake when the telephone rang at a quarter after two. I answered. It was the sister. She said that his respiration and pulse were poor, and she wanted me to come over.

When I got there, mother was dressing. He was breathing with much difficulty. I decided to call Edythe, went up there, couldn't see her in the room. Later Miss Wilson, his night nurse, went up after she had called Dr. Kavanaugh. We had her do the latter, not asking him to come. But his own volition he did so however.

I went back to Ermine's room, succeeded in awakening Edythe without disturbing Ermine. She was in the bed with Ermine.

She came down, then decided to call her aunt. When Mother felt Brother’s pulse grow weaker, she had me call Jim. They also got Mrs. Harrell over. After Dr. Kavanaugh came though he got his tongue from back in his mouth, had him turned on his side, and he started reading more easily and naturally.

Mother, Jim and I sat in the waiting room, even slept a little as we knew that he was breathing easily. Finally Jim went on home to get shaved. That must have been about six.

Ermine told me in the room up the hall (by the desk) during the time when he was so bad that he had always been so good and she had always been so selfish.

Mother and I finally went down to the cafeteria for breakfast. One goes through the routine of taking food even when the food chokes one. Mrs. Powell went home too.

Mr. McElroy gave the blood for the transfusion yesterday. This morning it was Mr. Jones from New Columbus. (He has a store there) and I truly never saw a haler, hardier, bigger and sturdier type.

While we were at breakfast Edythe was wondering if for his disease it might be better to have the transfusion from someone who had recovered from the disease, as in the case of strepticocci viridans. Our time seemed so limited that I thought we should follow the thought through immediately. Since Dr. Kavanaugh had been at the hospital in the early morning I didn't call him, but with the help of the telephone exchange girl I did get the intern doctor out of bed to ask him. He said that the ideas sounded good, but

259 wasn't as good as it sounded, that what Brother needed more were the white corpuscles regardless of from whom.

Brother's temperature was down about three degrees this morning (from the 106 rectal of last night), and Miss Cropper said that he ate a little cereal, a bitet or so of toast. He also tried to brush his teeth a little, and even to garble a little. However, he is getting some ulcers on the outside of his body -- on his back and hand-- and they have to put merthiolate or mercurochrome on the places.

Ermine wanted a paper left for him this morning in case he wanted it. His nurse, Mrs. Ready, has been so afraid all along that there would be some reference to his condition which he would see. However, since I have been here when he was able to look at all, he looked only at the headlines.

They kept him on his sides-first one, then the other-this morning. Since he has been so sick the last day or so there is very often a floor nurse in there with the special nurse. The special nurse goes out for nothing without leaving someone with him. Mrs. Ready asked me once-either last night or tonight-about a crucifix which one of the sisters had wanted to pin on the bed. I told her that would have been all right.

Last night Mother and I sat in the chapel on the third floor a while for the feeling of consecration and sanctuary that it gives. It was when we came down from there and saw Dr. Kavanaugh at the door of the waiting room that he told us Brother's temperature was 106.

This morning I went over to the Crume’s to change to my suit. Mrs. Crume and her mother are so kind, and Mrs. Walton, a roomer from El Dorado, Arkansas is also.

Dr. Kavanaugh when he came this morning said that Brother's blood test still showed only one white corpuscle. In regard to the transfusion from somebody who has recovered from the disease he told me to stop thinking, that I had someone to do my thinking for me. Papa came back this morning. Dr. Kavanaugh came in and sat down in the waiting room with us, told him that he should rest 10 hours at night and two to three hours in the middle of the day after the noonday meal. Dr. Kavanaugh is from Lawrenceburg.

When Dr. Garr had been back to see Brother he came up the hall saying " He is a very sick man and I am very apprehensive."

Dr. Kavanaugh said this morning that every catnap meant so much to him that we simply didn't go in there today.

Papa wouldn't eat dinner down in the cafeteria with Mother and me. They had pork roast. How can I remember these things on this day when the light of the world seems to have gone out?

260 Cousin Ray yesterday afternoon brought four quail. Mother and I had arranged to have one baked today for Ermine's dinner and one stewed for Brother. I have never found out whether he was able to eat any of it or not. I must find out from Miss Propper, his nurse.

At one Mother and I went over to the room to rest. I slept until three, having awakened at two also. Mother was awake when I went back, stayed on a little while.

I rejoined Papa. Pud Vallangdingham and Gertrude stopped by. Papa said that Mabel Moore Cochran had also been here.

Jim and Bird had stopped here this morning as they went to Frankfort-came back late this afternoon.

Edythe realized that we hadn't made definite arrangements for tomorrow's transfusion, got Mr. Nelson on the phone, found that Tuesday would suit him better, then finally established communication with someone and John Young Brown's to ask him to come tomorrow.

I considered calling John at four --I had written him a special last night- but Papa said that I might as well wait until seven.

Dr. Kavanaugh told us tonight that Brother had three white corpuscles instead of the one he has had since Friday. However we sensed and knew that tonight was to be the turning point. This morning it was so difficult when we were here alone that I called Blanche and asked if some of them could come. She assured me that they would.

We went down to supper. I took milk and ice cream. Mother urged me to get a piece of chocolate cake. I did so, but choked on it and couldn’t eat it.

At seven-a few minutes after-I called John. I told him that Brother was gasping for breath-asked him to have the children pray for their uncle Paul and to tell God how much they loved their uncle Paul. John said that he hoped that I wouldn't have to call him back tonight.

Between 7 and 7:30, Brother’s nurse, Mrs. Ready, told us that we could come in. Mother had heard his breathing and she knew. And for the first time she came near collapsing. She said, "Let me get my self composed." She went into the room up the hall near the desk, knelt down and prayed for a moment, then seemed to get a marvelous strength from Heaven. She said that she was now ready to go her dying son.

I should have said before that Mr. and Mrs. Webb were at the hospital, and that Bob, Gypsy, Billy, Lewis and Blanche had arrived. Mrs. Powell (Ermine and Edythe's aunt) was there, and Jim and Birdie.

261 We went in to Brother, and although he had been irrational for three days I am confident that he was quite conscious now. Mother and I went up to the right side of his bed. He said "Goodbye, Mamma". His feet seemed already cold. He asked us what time it was. We told him that it was 7:30. Again he asked what time it was and we told him twenty of eight. I believe it was before that though that he looked at Mother and me with complete recognition, but let his eyes wander around the room and even lifted his head from the pillow as though searching for Ermine. She was in the room up the hall, had said she couldn't come in because she wanted to remember him as he was the night before when he pulled her head down and kissed her. We sent for her now though and she came. When Brother saw her it was as though the light of Heaven came over his face-the most beatific smile that I have ever seen. Ermine leaned over him, and he said, "Don't look so good-haven't shaved today". She said, "Honey, you are the most beautiful thing in the world to me,” and kissed him.

Mr. Webb was in the room because Sister Mary Helena had asked for a man in there and I asked for him. At varying times too there were different sisters in addition to Mrs. Ready. Whether it was after Ermine kissed Brother or not I don't remember that he asked that it be "cooler", and they threw the window wide. During this time there was singing, as if from a Heavenly choir. It may have come from the chapel on the third floor where the sisters may have been having a service. I do not know. I must check on that. It sounded as though it might have been for his going.

Another time he asked us "What day is it?" And we told him Sunday. I have since been sorry we didn't tell him the date, that he might fix his going, but I could not remember whether it was November 30 or December 1. Once he said "Kleenex", to have his mouth wiped and once he said “Ginger ale" and the nurse fed him several teaspoons full from a teaspoon.

An intern had been called, and Dr. Kavanaugh. The intern came first, a tall young man whom I didn't like. He sent for an oxygen mask. It finally came. When they were adjusting it on Brother mother asked the intern "Will it make his going easier?" And he said, very pertly, "What makes you think he is going?"

After Dr. Kavanaugh came they finally took the mask off. It was near the end then. Papa never did come in, and we felt that it would be too much for him. He stayed up in the waiting room, and I arranged that Bob, Lewis, Jim and others were with him. They had an oxygen tent outside in the hall for Brother, but never did put him in it. Sister Mary Helena said later that he would only have fought it off. His going was not easy. He struggled for breath, even tried sometimes to pull himself up by the support above his bed. Toward this latter part when he said nothing, probably did didn't know, Ermine was taken out. Mother and I stood on the left side of his bed. I kissed his forehead. It had sweat on it. We were right there when he breathed what seemed one final gasp-then a second or so later-the last, O Heavenly Father. It was twenty-five of nine.

I had Bob called John, about a quarter of nine. I considered coming to Louisville, but after getting Gypsy and Blanche to promise to stay with Papa and Mother and drive

262 them home-Blanche drove them-I went with Jim and Bird for the night to go to Louisville tomorrow morning.

There are many things that I want to remember about Brother-his quizzical look and way of saying things-even in the hospital and when out of his head, he spoke in his characteristic fashion. He had some gray hairs, but not many. His eyes are of a brownness about like mine, I should say-and of course his brows met over his nose. The scar on his nose-across the bridge-where he was cut was scarcely noticeable at all. He asked somebody about it while I was there.

When I went in that Wednesday morning I was struck by how very sick he looked. I had never seen him even down before. I told him that he was going to pull out of that thing all right, and he murmured something about being lying there on that bed for weeks-presumably to come. He told me that he was losing out on his reading. I mentioned that the US was extending its protection to Dutch Guiana, and he knew about that.

He told me that day to put my hat up on top of the wardrobe in his room, with "Mamma's." He always said “Mamma” and "Dad", whereas I have always said "Papa" and "Mother".

He was worried that Wednesday night when I couldn't get the ginger ale bottle capped with the patent capper to retain the fizz in what was left. Papa was sitting in there and got it fixed. He had me open a jar of home canned grape juice-- Mother has since told me that Lulu brought it to him-and he had me look to be sure there was no rust on it. Poor dear! He didn't want infection. That day too when the doctors came in he wanted to ask them about starting the sulfanilamide again, which they had stopped on Monday.

On another day when the nurse was with him and I lay down for a moment to rest on the cot he asked her to get me a pillow. After he became irrational he talked on and on about business. Mother said that he said, "See that Hade gets more sleep"-also "that won't do-you'll have to give the check for a thousand dollars".

I think that Papa was in his room last on Saturday.

Looking back now over what Mother told me of him after his injury, he never got along well. He would never let them lift the head of his bed, he never wanted to smoke, much as he loved smoking.

I remember on that last Sunday that we saw him all right, when he, Papa and Mother stopped by the hospital to see John, he made some reference to how it had always been with him when he was in the hospital but I can't remember what it was. Of course it was only two days afterwards that he was struck.

263

Monday, December 1, 1941

Dr. Kavanaugh had given Bertie a capsule to give me last night. I went right to sleep and slept until three, when I awakened with a nervous chill. However, I did go back to sleep and slept until morning. We had breakfast, and Jim drove me to Frankfort. Louisville bus was due at 10 of 8. We reached there at 25 of 8.

The bus took the detour route for some reason, making a longer trip. I cried most of the way, writing some of the penciled part of this record en route.

I got off the bus at Preston and Broadway, was fortunate enough to get a Preston street car immediately, and then an Audubon Park bus immediately. When I got off the bus, John was pulling up behind in the car. I was surprised to see him driving, but he said that Dr. Hagan had permitted it.

We came home. David was at nursery school-Mrs. Lovell's. John asked me if I had seen the paper. When I looked at the Courier and saw my beloved brother’s face and the headline I couldn't read it, but broke down completely. Finally though we collected ourselves and John and I went to town. We left the car in a parking lot near the Heyburn building and stopped at Harpring's and ordered a six dollar basket of flowers-enormous gold chrysanthemums with smaller poms (I thought white small ones, but subsequent events made me think yellow. I am so glad that I got bright red roses for Brother at the hospital that Wednesday. Ermine said that they are his favorite. He told me that they were pretty-thanked me for them.

John and I separated. I had my shoe heels fixed, bought David a suit and some socks. John and I met at one and had lunch at the Colonnade-saw the Hargroves and Cousin Frank-all so unrealistic. I bought a purse and dress afterwards -- Jane some underpants. John was tired out-had gotten himself some shirts and a tie.

We came home. The children greeted us, Jane with her blouse on hind part before, telling me something about a carnival at school.

I had little time as I was to meet Elizabeth Watson and Margaret Jack at Stewart's at 4:30 and go to Owenton with them. I hurriedly assembled outfits for the children to take to Owenton tomorrow.

John had to go to school. Mrs. Hart drove me down to Stewart's. Mrs. Johnson and her daughter furnished the car; Mrs. Lewis Greene was also along. It was seven o'clock before we reached Mother’s. I had called Owenton this morning and talked to Cousin Myrt. She said that she and Cousin Ola were at Mother’s, that Papa and Mother were in Williamstown and that no arrangements had been made for the funeral because Ermine hadn't yet come from Lexington. When I reached home several were there. The funeral is to be tomorrow morning at 10. They couldn't postpone it longer because of Ermine’s condition, and Papa thought an afternoon funeral followed by the trip to

264 Owenton for the burial would throw people too late getting home. So, I called John back, told him, asked him to let others there know.

Then since Gypsy Roland was coming to stay with Papa and Mother, I went with John Shirfy, Jack and Lillie to Williamstown. I went first to Ermine, poor child. She said that she knew I would come. Neither she, her mother nor Edythe have looked at him. He lay in the dining room surrounded by flowers, with a really beautiful and peaceful smile upon his face. He wore a brown tweedish sort of suit-one of his own suits from his own collection.

We didn't stay so very late. There were of course many there. It was hard to pass the garage, with flowers on the front. Harlan said that they didn't even have a key to lock it because it had never been closed before.

Tuesday, December 2, 1941

I had brought three remaining capsules which Dr. Kavanagh had given Birdie for me from Lexington. I had left two for Papa and Mother to take before they went to bed. Gypsy Rowland was staying all night and was waiting up for me. I took the third capsule, got woozy almost before I was in bed. I then slept in a drugged sort of way most of the night, and Gypsy had to call Papa and Mother at six. We then rushed to have breakfast and got dressed.

Betty Lou came to drive Papa and Mother. They went on shortly after eight. When I talked with John last night I had asked them to try to be here by eight. However they were not, and when 8:30 had come and they hadn't arrived I had written a note and was preparing to go with Cousin Holly and Myrt when they came. Billie Cobb was driving. Bobby Greene was along and went on with Cousin Holly and Myrt. I of course rode with John, Billie, Mrs. Houchens and the children.

When we got to Williamstown I took the children in first to see Ermine. She had not looked at Brother-never did-nor did Mrs. Harrell and Edythe. I had debated seriously about whether to have the children see Brother. Mother wanted them to do so however and I thought that they might remember him better, so we took them in. David permitted himself to be held up to see Uncle Paul, but Jane wouldn't advance too close toward him. After they had seen them I turned them over to Estell and Martha who sat in the car with them until we came out to go to the church, then took them on to Owenton to Mother's.

All the flowers had already been taken to the church.

I kissed Brother on the forehead, then later on the lips. Why is the human body so much colder than any ordinary thing in a room when the breath of life has departed?

When we went into the Methodist Church where the funeral service was to be held the whole front of the church was banked with flowers and there were flowers all the way around the church at windows and strategic points. The crowd overflowed into the

265 yard and Sunday School rooms. John Shirfy seemed to be assisting in a friendly sort of way, and after the service I saw Mr. Carlson there.

Rev. Carter, the young pastor of the Baptist Church read from the 14th chapter of John. Mrs. Harrison sang “In the Garden." Rev. Purvis, pastor of the Christian Church, delivered as beautiful a prayer as I ever heard and Rev. Robinson, of the Methodist Church preached the sermon, a really lovely tribute to Brother. He took his text from Proverbs 11:25-"and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

Ermine, Mrs. Harrell and Edythe went to their car before Brother was viewed. We looked at him for the last time on this earth, bless his sweet heart. Now I must remember his foibles and whimsicalities through the years and forget these other more latter things.

We drove to Owenton by way of Dry Ridge. When we passed near the junction of the road down to "Home" I felt as though he was truly coming home. That would always be like home to us both.

At Mother’s we let Mrs. Houchens out, as I thought that she could stay with the children while Martha went to the cemetery. However Martha didn't come on. Estell had gone back to school.

We were late getting to the cemetery. Billie, Cousin Ray, Jim, Charlie, Bob and Lewis were the pallbearers. The American Legion had a ceremony. The most difficult part of that was the blowing of taps, with two echoes, each further away.

Of course it was very hard there. They opened the casket again but we didn't look at him.

There were different ones coming up. Julian Foree and his wife spoke to us and met John.

Ermine said that she couldn't stop at Mother’s that she had gone there only with Brother.

We went back to Mother's -- ate some oyster stew which Mrs. Ford had sent. Different ones came in. Cousin Will and Allie, Cousin Ola, Gypsy, Blanche. Somehow they started giving money to the children. David recited nursery rhymes.

We went out to the cemetery before dark. John didn't go as he was pretty tired. The children went. Gypsy and Blanche were also out. Mother brought one basket of chrysanthemums home.

Mrs. Houchens, A.J., Ruth and the children came for a few minutes. We put the children to bed on the davenport. All of us were very tired.

266 Wednesday, December 3, 1941

Papa and John went to Williamstown about eight, I at 8:30. Mrs. Harrell, Ermine and Edythe were trying to eat breakfast. A spray of flowers had come from some of our faculty group too late for the funeral.

Papa, Ermine and John went uptown to make some legal arrangements. I worked on cards from the flowers, making a list. Cousin Willie Kate Prather arrived, having gotten the word too late to make the right connection to get here yesterday in time for the funeral. Edythe, brave soul that she is, went up to her room and wrote the piece for the paper about Brother. Mr. Needham stopped by. I gathered from what he said that speculation is rife in town as to whether it would not have been better to have amputated.

I failed to state that Mother discovered on Monday afternoon that the cast had not been removed from Brother's leg. She insisted that Mr. Stanley remove it, and then she and Blanche looked at it. She said that it hadn’t knit at all, was in terrible condition. Why did the doctors let them think it was getting along so nicely?

We all finally ate a little bit at Ermine’s then came to Mother’s. Several came in - - of course Cousin Willie Kate came back with us-but was with Elizabeth Watson, Blanche, Gypsy and others. John went to the News Herald office to get a cut of Brother- we had arranged to have Hade stop for it tonight on his way back to Williamstown, to the cemetery to leave the flowers from the faculty group, and to his mother's for a chicken.

It was 4:30 when we got started home-almost dark, of course. I drove to Shelbyville, then John drove on.

The little cat was here when we arrived but not the big one.

Betsy called, and Mame.

Thursday, December 4, 1941

Mame arrived at 6:45. Jane went to school with the Harts, and John brought them home at noon. I was terribly depressed. The day was gloomy and rainy. Finally John and Mame prevailed upon me to go with him to town, to the tailor’s to see about having his suit made smaller, to the newspaper office to get copies of Monday's Courier and Times. We were home at 4:15 in order to be here when Mame had to go.

Cards and letters were here last night when we arrived and there were more today. This afternoon while we were away lovely roses of the most delicate hue arrived from Mary Holvogt, Sallie Rodgers and Ruth Thomas. John and I have noticed, too, that the most understanding cards and letters are from those who have had losses in their families.

Thelma called.

267 John had to go to school tonight, so he brought Claudine and Margaret over here to stay with us during his absence. Ann Couey also came by. Cousin Inez called.

Friday, December 5, 1941

More lump inside me and depression this morning. Cousin Inez came by. John took the children to school. I sent a note to Miss Florence regretting that I had been unable to give Jane the attention this fall which she so richly deserves, and lamenting that seeming lack of ability to sing. The Harts brought the children home at noon.

Mrs. Dickinson sent for the children-sent her maid. Betsy and Martha came about three, after the faculty luncheon. I called Mrs. Dickinson and had the children come home. Patricia and Roberta came up also to stay until four.

Miss Watkins and Erwina were here. I showed them all the Grant County news, which Edythe sent. It is filled with lovely tributes to Brother.

Miss Watkins, Erwina and Betsy were helpful.

I wrote to Dr. Kavanaugh today. I have a copy of the letter. I added a postscript telling him that for my own peace of mind perhaps he had better not answer.

I called Edythe tonight to enquire about Ermine. She is getting along fairly well.

Ann Couey came by tonight and got Jane's Christmas doll. She thinks that Big Kit is next door at the Tuckers’, neighbors of hers.

Saturday, December 6, 1941

This commercialism! It tears my heartstrings to think of Christmas, but the children avidly listen to the Santa Claus programs and wanted to go to Bowman Field this afternoon to see Santa come in. Betsy had to go to town, but we drove out with Jean and Martha-- almost froze-- didn't see Santa until after we had been there literally ages.

After we got back I went to Steiden's, Kernen's, and stopped at Claudine's to see about Margaret who has tonsillitis again.

Sunday, December 7, 1941

I thought that I might as well go to S.S. to take the children so we all went. We were late though-did not get there until 10, and Jane had one of her shy streaks-cried, wouldn't go into her department and I had a time with her. I couldn't bear to stay after class and talk with people, so left before class was dismissed.

I wrote letters to both Ermine and Mother and mailed them before three o'clock.

268 War has come. Japan deliberately attacked the U.S. on Hawaii, with other rumors concerning the Philippines. It seems the irony of fate that Brother passed from the earthly scene on the very eve of the war in the Far East where he had such an interest because of his residence in the Philippines for two years.

The Barrigers came late this afternoon-evening, it was. I was glad that they did, because the day is so heavy with memories of a week ago.

After their departure Jimmie and Mary Sublett came. They were here at 7:30, but left before eight, leaving us alone before 8:30. How mixed up everything is-- Brother, the war-- all.

Monday, December 8, 1941

Since we have to make Christmas with the children no matter how much it hurts us, I sent David to school with Jane this morning and I went to town-was able to accomplish most of my toy buying although things are pretty well picked over.

John for the first time stayed over at school until five. He went with Paul Druin to Canary Cottage at lunch for some meeting.

Claudine's letter which she had written me at Mother’s came today. It was a wonderful letter-very helpful.

Tuesday, December 9, 1941

Mrs Vanderhaar called this morning. She didn't know about Brother-was so disturbed that she came over immediately bringing Jimmie.

This evening Mr.Vanderhaar came. They seem genuinely distressed and sympathetic.

We are getting the Lexington Herald, Cincinnati Times Star and Enquirer that had the accounts about Brother. The Grant County News is by far the best however, both in its account and in the tributes to Brother throughout the paper.

Papa was in Louisville today-came with Mr. Cobb to settle about the wool. They had a driver. Papa called but didn't come out. He said that they were all getting along fairly well, that Ermine was helping some with the business administration. He said that there were either $1600 or $1800 worth of cold checks. I have forgotten which.

Wednesday, December 10, 1941

I had a little sore throat last night, so went out to Dr. Kerr for my fifth cold shot, long overdue.

269 David Paul went to Mrs. Lovell's, John to Dr. Hagan. I washed the slip covers and clothes at various times during the day, as I could.

Dr. Kerr told me that agranulocytosis often leads in to osteomyelitis. Since that is what Brother had in his ankle as a youngster I am wondering if there could be a tie-up. I clutch at every straw which would indicate that he had some involvement from which he couldn't have recovered even have the doctors not bungled-whether they did or did not.

John was sick this afternoon. Jane went with the Vanderhaars after the children this P.M.

Thursday, December 11, 1941

Stella was here. I dreaded this, but got through the day fairly well. There was much to do. Stella had started ironing my slip cover when Marie Geralds and a friend of hers, Mrs. Bays from Lexington came.

John taught his own night class tonight. I had signed to contribute cookies for the P.T.A. Carnival Saturday night, so I made out the dough and let the children help me tonight to cut out the shapes and decorate them. After they went to bed I made still more.

Friday, December 12, 1941

I took Jane and the Hart children to school this morning so that John could rest longer after teaching class last night. We took the cookies to school. Jane with one of her shy streaks didn't want to take the cookies in, wanted me to go with her, but I prevailed on her.

When John came home at lunchtime I was making more cookies. He informed me that his tube came out this morning. He went immediately to Dr. Hagan. The latter didn't show particular excitement, had been expecting something of this sort. He endeavored to put the tube back in the duct, but could not. He did put it into John's body however, to keep the place open.

Alice Birtles, Carl and Suzanne all played here this afternoon, unsolicited but welcome.

Saturday, December 13, 1941

In the mail this morning there was such a disconcerting letter from Mrs. Harrell, saying that they felt like three strangers in a strange land and so on that I decided to go to Williamstown tomorrow. I talked to the Coueys who were going to Frankfort, but decided that I couldn't get ready in time to go that far on the way with them. I ironed, let the children run the vacuum and straightened supposedly. David Paul's cars were in

270 boxes in the living room door when Miss Watkins and Erwina came at two. John also arrived about then. The two former stayed only a little while.

I went to the grocery stores-got a lamb roast to cook tonight for John and Jane while Paul [ed.- David Paul] and I are gone.

Mrs. Vanderhaar came for the children to take them to the P.T.A. Carnival at school before they had eaten. Jane ate half a small lemon pie before she left, drank some milk, Paul ate a hamburger.

John went out to join them about seven. Mrs.Vanderhaar and Maria came by shortly after on their way home, said that our children had prevailed on their daddy to stay for some program which didn't come on until 8:30. I had given Jane 40 cents to spend and David Paul 30. He had already spent all of his.

I talked to Betsy. Between nine and 10 they got home-John tired of course-the children excited. Jane had fished in the fish pond and gotten a small china bell. David had fished twice, had a rubber ball on a string and a stuffed elephant. They also had candy, and had something to drink.

Jane wore her velvet dress. They had a king and queen of each room for the Carnival. Alvin and Patricia were from Jane's room, Jimmie Curry and Margaret from Mrs. Lamb's room.

Sunday, December 14, 1941

We had to rush this morning as we had to be at Baxter Avenue by 7:40. I don't think I slept from about two on, I was so afraid that I wouldn't be up at 5:30.

When we got to Baxter Ave. we discovered that the train which stopped at Walton, which we had intended to take, was two hours late. However the first train to Walton was immediately due and I bought a ticket (95 cents). Paul (ed.- David) didn't require one. He had insisted ever since getting up he didn't want to go, that he wanted to stay and go to the hospital with his daddy, as was Jane. Well, we had a time. It took the conductor, the porter, his daddy and I to get him on the train, and he was crying so loudly that everybody on the car was craning his neck to see what was coming. After we got on though he was pleased, and was much excited when we went through two tunnels and over the Kentucky River.

At Worthville we had to wait for Mr. Marston's bus until the train from Cincinnati came. As we drove to Owenton I had him stop at Wheatley and I called (Uncle Boy, it happened) to tell them that we were coming there instead of direct to Williamstown. I had called Mother last night and told her the other.

271 Mother had their dinner about ready. She and Papa ate. I didn't want David and I. to eat as I knew that Ermine was expecting us, but I drank some coffee, and he ate some sausage with great relish.

Then we went on. When we arrived Ermine was crying, poor dear. Papa went up town, the others of us ate dinner, even Mother taking some coffee. Papa and Mother went home by the middle of the afternoon.

Edythe went and got Brother’s new red Oldsmobile which had just come this week and we took a drive to Corinth in it. Ermine decided to keep it because he liked the color so much. It is all so sad.

David Paul didn't much want to go upstairs ahead of me to bed. We were to sleep in Edythe’s high bed. If I could weep it would help. I haven't cried for a long time though-since the first day or so.

One other thing I have remembered about Brother’s last days. It must have been on Friday, when Papa was in the bed in the room next to Brother’s. I saw a light on for that end of the hall and I went to investigate. I walked into Papa’s room and not remembering that Brother would hear me and recognize my voice, I asked Papa, "Did you put your light on?" When I went in Brother’s room then immediately after that he was fingering the light call switch. I asked him if he wanted something, and he said that he wanted to see if his light was on-so he had heard me. I said merely-"It was the man in the room next door who had his light on."

Papa went in to see Brother on Saturday afternoon, I know.

Monday, December 15, 1941

Hade comes and makes fires for them. We got up about 7:30. Paul made up with Ermine and talked to her quite a bit. Last night he amused them when they offered him green peas, canned, by saying that he liked Birdseye (frozen) peas. He is frankness personified.

We got a ride to Owenton with Hade. It was rather cold this morning-colder than it has been.

Mother said that Eunice Ransdell wanted a car, so she called Ermine and arranged for Mr. Tully to come to see Eunice. Ermine had wanted a way over to the cemetery today anyhow.

Mother said that she hadn't been to town since Brother’s passing, and needed to go to the grocery store and 10 cent store. Papa had gone to Carrollton with the tobacco; told her that we would go with her. Paul was of course fascinated by the toys. He liked a couple of airplane toys so much-each 25 cents-and couldn't decide between them, but Mother told him that she would find him one and we finally prevailed on him to buy a

272 Merry-go-round with three planes (something like an amusement park ride). He hated to leave the other one. When we got home he played continuously for a couple of hours with the toy-had it right on the table by him while he ate-then it got so it wouldn't work. Aunt Dink came over, and Mrs. Ford, then Gypsy and Blanche. About this time Mr. Tulley, Ermine and Mrs. Harrell came. I went down to the cemetery with them, but it broke my heart. I even cried at last. Mrs. Harrell couldn't even bear to stay up there. The flowers from the funeral were still there, but of course had been frozen. Ermine brought a large bunch of bronze [ed. colored] chrysanthemums which she had kept at home since the funeral.

She stopped at Mother’s, but she is so shattered. It is so hard. Gypsy brought her some sausage and me some.

After they left Paul and I went down to his Granny Houchens’ for eggs. He had given me no rest about the other toy-said that as we came back through town that the stores might be closed before he could ask Granddad about it-they were closing-, so I weak-willed soul that I am, gave in. Ermine had given him half a dollar, 25 cents of it to be for Jane. He spent his quarter, got his toy-a tower with two airplanes whose propellers turned (a big point in his estimation).

He and I to sleep in Papa’s and Mother’s bedroom, they upstairs. Papa was tired when he got home from Carrollton.

I read all of Mother’s cards of sympathy this morning-cards and letters. She has many.

Tuesday, December 16, 1941

I called John last night and he told me that he would not hear from his x-ray until tomorrow (today). Jane had a cold, he said, but went to school.

Papa had to go back to Carrollton today so we left with him at 7:30, stopped at Worthville to get the train. He went on to Carrollton.

There were soldiers on the train, but Paul couldn't get them to pay much attention to him. He liked to get water in the drinking cups, and he would have patronized the news butch considerably had I let him. He did buy chewing gum, a Clark bar for himself and a Forever Yours for Jane.

When we got off at Baxter Avenue and got on the Frankfort Ave. motorcoach, Cousin Inez was on the front seat. By the time we transferred it was about ten of 12 when we got home. Mame was here, Jane sick in bed.

I talked to John immediately. He said that he has to have another operation, no getting around it. He came on home for lunch later and we discussed it. He had made no arrangements.

273

Mame and I straightened the recreation room.

I went to Steiden's.

The Coueys came tonight after the children were in bed. They have gone ahead and made Jane's dollhouse, and Ann has made some of the loveliest clothes for her doll.

Wednesday, December 17, 1941

John went to Dr. Hagan this morning and to Dr. Morse tonight. They want him to go ahead with his operation next week. Of course this is bad news for us. Jane is still in bed-had one degree of fever about four, but ate a poached egg for lunch and one tonight. I doctored her tonight with Vick's salve, aspirin, milk of magnesia, cod liver oil, Cheracol and argyrol in her nose.

Mrs. Houchens called tonight to see about John.

Thursday, December 18, 1941

I let Jane go out in the sun for about twenty minutes this morning, however that seemed to be the wrong thing according to Dr. Andrews this afternoon, for her temperature came up one degree again, and he said that she was sick that I shouldn't have let her go outside, that she should stay in bed for two days after her temperature returned to normal.

Before John went to school this morning I went to the A&P and to Walgreens’ for some typewriter paper.

I had a letter from Edythe this morning-rather two of them-one of them telling me that Mrs. Ruth Gilbert, Secretary of the Kentucky Retail Merchants Association, was on her way to Brother's funeral, was injured in an automobile accident and is over at St. Joseph's.

I wrote to Edythe, Cousin Ola and Martha this afternoon and mailed the letters and a package to Jerry over at the Lee Street postoffice tonight-- then I came back by St. Joseph's to see Mrs. Gilbert. She had an accident in her car near Crestwood as she started to Ballardsville, got slight fractures of both pelvis bones and an injury to her spine. She was taking flowers from the Retail Merchants to Brother. She expects to get to go home Saturday.

John taught night school tonight, although I do not really think he is in condition.

Friday, December 19, 1941

274 Jane is still in bed, didn't get to go to Maria's school performance tonight. However, she has had no fever.

After La Verne got home from school I went to town for a little while. John let La Verne go home when he returned shortly after five-paid her 30 cents-I got home at six o'clock.

I went back to see Mrs. Gilbert tonight, then came back by the Couey’s to see the dollhouse, which is really turning out well. There are six rooms-living and dining room and kitchen on the first floor, and two bedrooms and a bath on the second, with connecting doors-windows with cellophane over them, linoleum from our kitchen on the kitchen and bathroom, wallpaper from ours and the Couey’s on the walls.

Saturday, December 20, 1941

Stella worked for me today, since she will be off next Thursday, it being Christmas. I went to town again-got a little perfume piano for Jane's dollhouse.

I was quite flustered when I got home at 12:30 to find Stella in the middle of the living room floor working jigsaw puzzles. She not only didn't get up when I returned but had the nerve to tell me that it was the third puzzle she had worked. I had to suggest that she get to work.

John went to Dr. Morse’s this afternoon. Whereas he had hoped to have his operation next Saturday, it seems that they can get no one to give the anesthetic then, and it will have to be postponed until Monday.

Jean took John to get a Christmas tree, and put it up for us.

Sunday, December 21, 1941

John didn't go to S.S., but the children and I did. We got there on time for a change as I wanted to see the closing Love Gift program of my class. The children had trees in their departments, with candy and gifts, for the first year they brought them home and put them under the tree without opening them.

The Trues were here this afternoon.

Monday December 22, 1941

John felt so bad yesterday I called Dr. Morris last night concerning the advisability of proceeding with the operation this week, but Dr. Hagan is out of town today and tomorrow and as the doctors wouldn’t want to perform anything except emergencies on Christmas Eve or Christmas and they cannot get an anesthetist Friday or Saturday, it seems that next Monday is about the earliest day.

275 Jane still has some cold, ate very little breakfast, but did better when home for lunch.

I washed this morning, went to town tonight, and purchased some pictures in mahogany frames for the Fifes. I had been thwarted when I went by there on Saturday night to try to find out what she needed.

Tuesday, December 23, 1941

This was the last day of school. Both children went. Jane had come back so pleased from school yesterday-had made a calendar for her daddy and me-this supposed to be a secret which she brought home and wrapped. Today she took her gift to Miss Florence (an angel holding a candle) and her gifts (all 10 cent ones) for Margaret, Jimmie Curry and Ann Summerford.

I told David Paul not to expect a present but he came home with one (Jane said that Miss Florence got it for him after she knew he was coming) and with candy also.

The Coueys now, on top of everything else, have made David Paul a steamboat because I told them how he had wanted Santa to bring one last year and he didn't, and how he wants one again this year.

Wednesday, December 24, 1941

The children and I dropped John off at school today, and we drove out to Mame's to deliver her pearls. Then we stopped at the grocery store and I got a larger box to put the things that I was sending to Owenton in --then we drove to 1327 S. Third, where Mildred lives, and parked out front while I wrote a note to Mother to put in the box with the cookies, candy and things to Johnnie, Mary Lou and Bobbie.

Next we drove to the parking lot opposite Ben Snyder's and parked. The children talked to Ben Snyder's Santa, then talked to the parrot over in the children's department while I selected a chenille robe, size 8, red, for Jane-buying it for her out of the money which Mother said that I might use for clothes for them.

Then we went back to the children's department. I saw Dorothy Summerford's sister and inadvertently told her that we got a garage for David, not realizing that Jane was standing right at my elbow, she heard me and asked some questions, so I had to prevaricate some- went up to Santa and talked to him while they stood off at a distance and listened.

Jane and I then bought him a new blue car and a new red car (ten cent ones-hard to get any more as most cars have gone to fifteen cents).

From there we came out to the post office at Fifth and Lee, bought some stamps, and got books for the children's defense stamps. Then we came by German's barbershop at ten of twelve. They had a rush on though and I finally decided to leave the children

276 while I did my grocery shopping, so I did so-went to Super Market, then up to Habich's to order a chicken, then home to deliver the groceries, and back to pick up John at a quarter of one, then by to get popcorn balls, then back to the barbershop. They still were not ready, and it was 1:30 before we got away.

They are so excited they scarcely know what they are doing. Jimmie Curry and Ann Summerford brought them more gifts.

I made some fudge-no good, I think.

I finally got the children in bed, their stockings hung on the mantel, Jane's with a card on which she had written herself-"Jane’s stocking"-Paul's with his name written by me.

After they were asleep and I was washing the dinner dishes I heard Christmas carols and we went to the living room windows. It was Nancy Nazor and six (I think) others singing. It was so sweet. I was sorry for the children not to hear. Shortly after- about 9:15, the Coueys arrived with the dollhouse, and the boat (really a marvelous achievement named "David Preston", what they always call him for some other David they knew and a bench outfit with chalk, crayons and slate for him. The doll clothes they had brought last week.

Then for quite a while we were all very busy. John set up David Paul's garage. Santa is giving him that, plus some rubber soldiers (a first aid outfit), a small army tank with a trailer, and a farm. The new red and blue car I put on his rooftop garage parking space.

Jane had asked Santa for a blackboard, a bead outfit and a refrigerator. She got those (Paul wasn't so conservative, he wanted several of those pedal cars). In addition, I had bought her doll at Sutcliffe’s in August-really a lovely doll who rolls her eyes-and she has the dollhouse.

In addition I wrapped for each of them a book from John and me-(“Pixie on the Post Road" for Jane, and "The Adventures of Tommy" for David Paul. Then I stuffed their stockings-candy, nuts, suckers, popcorn balls, peppermint candy canes.

We received a lovely blooming poinsettia from the Roberts.

Thursday, December 25, 1941

The Coueys wanted to be here when the children saw their things, so I promised to call them. At 6:30 the children were up. I called the Coueys, but they had already started. I think that they were pleased with the children's reactions. David, after he had seen certain things started singing to himself. Of course they had all their things under the tree to open. There were handkerchiefs for them from Margie and Maria, a coloring book for David Paul from Miss Florence, a knife and fork set for Jane from school (from

277 Patricia), an Old Maid set to Jane from Jimmie Curry, a donkey ring toss game for Paul from him, a nice set of paints for Jane from Ann Summerford, a little book to David P. from Mary Lynn, John’s and my calendar with a white lamb on it from Jane and evening purse (of all things) for me from Eloise.

Jane was thrilled over her doll. She hadn't asked Santa for a doll, but she seems to like this one better than anything that she got-better even than the dollhouse. She told me voluntarily that she liked it best. I told her that I asked Santa yesterday to bring it and David Paul's garage. She liked the robe which Mother's money paid for, and of course I had bought mittens for Paul-only 39 cents, as compared with $2.98 for her

It was hard to do anything but watch them. Jane ate some breakfast, but David very little, so anxious to play was he. They got dressed and took Carl’s and Suzy's infinitesimal gifts to them-came back with lovely blocks for Paul and gloves for Jane.

In the course of the morning a state highway truck stopped out front. Lo, they were using it to deliver Christmas packages. There were two packages for the children from Mary Sue-three books for Jane and some coloring books for David Paul.

We had an excellent baked chicken for dinner.

In the afternoon the children and I walked down to the mailbox to mail a card to Mother and a letter to Ruth. After we came back we decided to go over to Martha's to take her gifts to her. When we were ready to start-Sam Fife and Margaret came. It seems that Claudine had a cold and didn't come out. Margaret brought an adorable little rocker to Jane-handmade just the right proportion for her dollhouse-and six pencils with her name on them. For Paul there was a Loop-the-loop plane.

The Roberts next came. Martha brought a coloring book for Paul and the game of Old Maid for Jane. We had doll furniture and a puzzle for Martha-just what we had given Margaret. John hadn’t gotten dressed all day, and didn't go with us, but the rest of us all went to the Roberts’. Jane took her doll, as she has wherever she went all day-to the mailbox, over to the Couey’s this morning. Paul that time took the blocks which Carl gave him, and dropped them once.

We stayed at the Roberts’ until about six, then came home, ate some supper. Mrs. Vanderhaar called and wanted us to come over there. John didn't go, but I took the children for a little while. The Vanderhaars were thrilled over their things of course.

It is too bad that Papa, Mother and Ermine couldn't have had the children to watch with their Christmas. It has been impossible to witness their joy in their Christmas without being helped in a measure of my grief for Brother and my anxiety about John's operation.

Friday, December 26, 1941

278 I washed this morning. Mrs. Hart came this afternoon, bringing a pillow to Paul with three marching soldiers on it, a book of nursery songs to Jane. The Vanderhaar children played here this afternoon. Mrs. Williams came over tonight.

John was at school today, getting things done, went to the barbershop, had the car checked. He was pretty tired when he got home, has been lying on the davenport tonight.

Saturday, December 27, 1941

John went to school this morning. He came home just as the children were ready to go over to Betsy's for lunch, and he drove them over, between 12 and 12:30. He and I ate lunch together in the kitchen. He had the remains of the Christmas chicken. About two I took him to the hospital. He got room 327 this time-the same one that he had in September, next door to the one he had for his other operation. I stayed with him until he was in bed, then I went to town, to the library, to Harpring's to see about flowers for Uncle Tom, to Walgreens’ for alcohol and tissues for John, and then to Ben Synder’s to exchange Jane's robe for a size 10. I hadn't told John I would come back but I did drive back to take him the magazines, Clarence Day's "Life with Mother", his alcohol and tissues. Dr. Yates was with him when I went in.

I got my groceries, then picked up the children at Betsy's. They had been playing "Old Maid" all afternoon, I think.

I played "Old Maid" with them after dinner.

Sunday, December 28, 1941

We didn't get up very early-got ready hurriedly and went to S.S., were late. My letter to my class concerning what they did for me during and after Brother’s illness had already been read, fortunately, as I should not have wanted to be present during the reading.

From the church we went up to the hospital to take John the paper. Jane had taken her doll to S.S. and took it with her there, as she does every place. We hurried home, as we were expecting Mother and Mrs. Houchens. They had a way to come with Harris yesterday, but didn't come. As we turned into Teal they were just getting out of the car. Bobbie and Billy had brought them in Papa's car. The boys came in and ate sandwiches- we could prevail on them to take nothing more-they left to go by the hospital to see John then somewhere to play basketball at two.

We had dinner-Mother had brought the old ham which Brother had told her to save until he came home-and then talked until time to go to the hospital. We got there

279 about three. There was a little nine-year-old girl-Helen Sanders from Greensburg across the hall from John, convalescing, with whom the children spent most of their time.

John's supper consisted of clear broth, orange juice, pineapple juice and tea.

The orderly came in to shave his abdomen for the operation as we were leaving. The Dilleys had called at the desk to say that they were coming.

Mother, Mrs. Houchens and I played Old Maid with the children.

Monday, December 29, 1941

I slept with Jane, Mother and Mrs. Houchens slept together. The children slept, but the three of us were up between 5:30 and 5:45. Mother kept the children. Mrs. Houchens and I went to the hospital. John already had on his cap and long stockings, had had a hypodermic. They came for him, took him to the operating room at ten of eight just the same time as before. It was after 8:30 before Estell and Martha arrived. The time passed slowly. Dr. Hagan and said that he would be through with him at ten, but ten came, and he wasn't down. His nurse, Miss Cunningham, more mature than some of the nurses, came on at ten. Mother called about ten and I told her that he wasn't down. His nurse went up, said that he was still open but they were still working. 10:30 came. He still wasn't down. Mother called again. I began to feel that they couldn't find the stone. His nurse went up, said they were beginning to suture on the inside. At 10 of 11 Mother called again; Martha talked to her. Immediately after, at ten of eleven-three hours after they took him up, they brought him down. Dr. Dollar accompanied him, said that his condition was all right. I asked him if they found the stone. He said, "You'll have to ask the chief about that. I was at the other end of the table." That to me was as good as saying that they didn't find it. Finally when Dr. Hagan and Dr. Morse came down they called us all into the room behind the desk. I knew it was to tell us that they didn't find the stone. I have never seen doctors with such expressive faces. It seems that they had "milked" up and down the common duct, could find no traces of the stone. They even had an implement with which they explored up in the liver. Dr. Armstrong assisted. Dr. Hagan said that he is very hopeful that the stone had passed into the intestines, and out. Dr. Morse said that there is such a thing as performing too good an operation and losing the patient. It was hard news for all of us to take that the stone could not be found. However, Estell is inclined to be optimistic, that it has passed. Only x-rays will show.

While Estell and Martha were out eating Mrs. Houchens and I ate our sandwiches and drank our thermos of coffee.

About two they took Mrs. Houchens out home to be with the children, and they got Mother and went home. Late in the afternoon the Roberts were here, then Sam.

280 I ate supper in the cafeteria. The Coueys came by while I was there. When Dr. Hagan came in he said we had better give him some blood tomorrow perhaps. Could I find a donor? Miss Cunningham was supposed to go off at six, really stayed until 6:25.

John didn't begin to come from under the anesthetic until after one. The first thing that he asked when he started regaining consciousness was whether they found the stone. Miss Cunningham told him that she didn't know, that he would have to ask Dr. Hagan. He kept asking at intervals, finally looked point blank at me while the nurse was at supper and asked me. I couldn't deceive him, although John had told me to wait until he was stronger to tell him. I told him that the doctors thought that it had passed (earlier he had said that what Miss C. told him didn't sound very good to him). He asked "Does that mean that I have to go through all this again?" And I said "No."

I sat with him after Miss C. left. He was very quiet. Miss Sanders came on at ten and Jean came to drive home behind me.

When I got home there was fruit from Mrs. Vanderhaar and a note which I read but cannot bear to read again until some other time. Mrs. Hart had sent ham, olives, cheese and honey.

Mrs. Houchens has been very discouraged, I could tell.

Tuesday, December 30, 1941

There was a card from Lorena yesterday saying that Uncle Tom had had a stroke, but was some better, and the doctors thought might recover.

Mame came today. I called Thelma, and Norton-found that John's blood was Type 4, and arranged that Harris, who is Type 4, come by the hospital. I also talked with Billy Cobb and later while I was in the bathtub he called and told Mrs. Houchens he would meet me at the hospital at 9:30.

Mrs. Houchens and I took the laundry as we went to the hospital. We reached there at 9:30 and Harris was already up in the laboratory. He was Type 4 all right, and they were cross matching him. And Billy came at ten, went up and was typed, was also Type 4. They took a pint of Harris' blood, held Billy in reservation, as Dr. Hagan didn't seem to think we would need to give him another.

Callie came by the hospital, stayed a little bit. Mrs. Houchens and I ate our sandwiches and drank our coffee at noon.

Cousin Inez and Mariam came by the hospital this afternoon. They were supposed to give John his transfusion starting not later than two, but they couldn't get an intern to start then, and it was 20 of 3 before they started it.

281 Harris came by at 3:30 and took Mrs. Houchens home so that she could be there when Mame had to go.

It was almost 6 when the blood was all in, and Miss Cunningham stayed on until it was over, even though I urged her to go along. She had come on duty at seven this morning. I was sorry that I didn't get an afternoon nurse after she stayed on.

The Coueys came by-also Sam. He was beginning to take a cold, but wanted to have his blood typed. I told him that it was unnecessary for the present.

I failed to get down to the cafeteria before it closed-waiting for the transfusion to be over and Dr. Hagan to come. John had no reaction whatsoever to the blood- undesirable, that is. His face took on more color.

At 7:30 Miss Smith, the supervisor, brought me a dish of ice cream.

Mrs. Houchens called me, let Jane talk to me. She was bubbling over with news- said that her tooth, left upper central molar, came out when she was eating an apple. I am glad that we do not have to pull it, as she was dreading it so.

I was extremely sleepy when Miss Sanders arrived. Jean was here to drive home behind me.

Wednesday, December 31, 1941

We were so tired that we slept late this morning. I had Miss Sanders call me at six yesterday, but we had arranged last night that she not call me this morning, if he were doing all right. He sleeps a lot from his hypodermics. He had an intra-venous glucose on Sunday afternoon, before the operation, on Monday after it, on Monday night after Miss Sanders came on, one yesterday morning before his transfusion and one today, finished before Miss Cunningham when off duty at three--five altogether besides his transfusion. It makes his arm and fingers numb. They gave him the one today in his right arm for a change.

Mrs. Houchens and I took the children by Cousin Inez’ as we went to the hospital. We had our customary sandwiches and coffee at noon.

About 4:45 Uta Cobb and Mariam brought the children back. We stayed a little while and they went in to see their daddy. Jane showed him where her tooth was gone. Then I took them home.

There were two cards from Edythe this morning and one from Mrs. Harrell this afternoon. Mrs. Harrell said that Ermine saw the card that I sent Monday about John's operation and that it made her right sick. Edythe said that Dr. Maxwell had promised her a report on Brother's autopsy on Thursday.

282 I played" Mr. Bug Goes to Town" with the children after supper. It is a game which Isla gave them both for Christmas, and which was at Cousin Inez’ for them.

Mother called to see how John is.

Jane's pink doll bonnet is gone.

The Coueys went for Mrs. Houchens at ten. Miss Sanders was late, and she had to come on before she arrived.

Thursday, January 1, 1942

We took the decorations off the Christmas tree. The children helped, were more willing than I had thought they would be to take it down. It was so dry. It was a task to get it up from the floor. Harris and Tommie came for the children before we finished and they carried it out for us and got the holder off of it.

Mrs. Houchens and I went along soon after the children left, took the poinsettia with us to John.

We didn't take our lunch, and of all days it was raining. We walked up to the place on Barrett but it was closed so got the car and drove to the Oyster Inn on Broadway.

John had told Miss Sanders this morning that he thought we would let her go. I talked with Dr. Hagan, and although he said that it would be nice to keep Miss Cunningham, he said that he thought it would be safe to let them both go. I wrote a check for $18 and mailed it to Miss Sanders, wrote Miss Cunningham a check for $24. Miss Sanders is Mrs. Heskamp, lives on Macon Avenue. Miss Cunningham (Julia) lives at Princeton Drive and Everett Avenue. They are both good nurses.

Dean Wilkinson came by this afternoon.

I went home about six, ate did some work, talked to Betsy, who wants to send Mame over on her time tomorrow. Harris and Tommie brought the children about 7:45.

Jane eats all the things that she should better than David Paul does when they are away from home. Thelma had gone to a lot of trouble for them-meatloaf for their dinner, malted milk, toasted cheese sandwiches, candy and so on. Jane will even eat things which she won't eat at home such as lettuce and cheese.

I reserved a cot for Mrs. Houchens and she is staying in John's room tonight.

Friday, January 2, 1942

283 When the mail came there was a card from Lorena written Wednesday saying that Uncle Tom passed away about 9:15 that morning. I called Mrs. Houchens to tell her. We think it better not to tell John. Lorena didn't tell anything about the arrangements, and I didn't send flowers, since the funeral was probably today.

There was also a letter from Mother, saying that Ermine can bear to see none of Brother's family, that she cried for an hour after Gypsy went to see her the other day.

The children went, over to the Vanderhaar's about 9:45 to play this morning and to have lunch. I went by for the laundry, went to the library, and to the Readmore card shop to buy one of the James Whitcomb Riley cards, "He is Just Away" to send to Lorena and her mother.

I reached the hospital at 12:30, got Mrs. Houchens, drove right home, ate sandwich, went to be A&P, came back, Mame was there, sent over by Betsy.

George Redding came to the hospital shortly after I got back. He went in to see John and the latter talked with him more than he yet has with anyone.

Mrs. Houchens called me from home to tell me that Cousin Ray had brought Cousin Arthur Wilson Bly home, that his son had been injured in an automobile wreck and was over at St. Joseph's.

I went down to supper. When I came up, Betsy was feeding John; Jean and Martha were in the sun room.

I called Cousin Ray. He said that it was Cousin Arthur's son Bill, 20 years old, who was injured. He had a brain concussion and his right side is paralyzed.

Mr. McIntosh came by tonight.

After supper John wanted some lemonade. It was evidently the wrong thing, for he has some gas.

Saturday, January 3, 1942

John had gas all night, slept scarcely none-dozed occasional. He took his Embutol (?) capsule at 9:10. It helped him none, and he took another at ten. Still he couldn't go to sleep-drank water quite a bit. Finally after conferring with the nurse in charge and trying to get the intern they gave him a hypo about two. It did him no good and John decided that it was false. (Dr. Hagan today told me that it was sterile). John finally slept from about 6 to 6:30. He had gas in the morning, but not quite so bad. I went home between 11 and 12 to get Mrs. Houchens. It started snowing while we ate lunch, and she, the children and I drove to the hospital on streets already slick enough that we skidded.

284 I had meant to leave Mrs. Houchens there for the afternoon, go back and get her late this afternoon, bring her home, and I was to stay with John tonight. After we saw how slick it was though we decided differently. Nancy Nazor was there, and there were flowers from the Subletts (yellow rosebuds, narcissi and two lovely spring flowers of some sort.)

I drove the children back to Whites’ for one of their children's amateur theatrical performances then I went to St. Joseph's to see Cousin Arthur and his wife. Their son was injured on Monday before Christmas, but had been in a hospital in Versailles until Thursday night, when he was brought here to be under Dr.Jelsma, the brain specialist. He has been unconscious ever since the accident. Last night his temperature came up to 104, and they performed an emergency operation on him this morning, removing four to 6 ounces of fluid from his brain. Dr. Jelsma thinks that he may have about four chances out of ten.

I then went to Steiden’s, called Mrs. Houchens and Mrs. White-and went by to pick up the children. I had skidded once on Preston Street-was never so glad to get the car in the garage.

I first put a light bulb in the kitchen light. The cats went out and played in the snow. They didn't like it at first, but did after they got home.

The children and I had biscuits for supper. They enjoyed them.

Mrs. Houchens called me after dinner to say that John started vomiting and Dr. Hagan had then used a stomach pump. The vomiting and retching had caused him to bleed some and they were going to give him glucose. She thought maybe they needed a nurse.

I called Dr. Hagan. He didn't seemed to think that his condition was alarming- said that he would call Dr.Geick and have him see him, and if necessary go himself. I called Miss Smith, the supervisor, and she said that John's temperature was a degree and a half lower than it was the night before, and that it was said that there were no nurses on the register. (I had already called Miss Cunningham's phone and received no answer, and had talked to Miss Sanders to find that she was going on a case for Dr. Henderson at ten. Miss Sanders said that if Dr. Hagan didn't think I needed a nurse that I could rest assured that I did not).

Dr. Hagan called me back-said that Dr.Geick had taken off his dressings and looked at him-but the bleeding was coming from around the cigarette drain, that his temperature was down, and that is pulse was 84-so I called Mrs. Houchens to tell her. First though I arranged with Mrs. Hart to come over and sleep in case I needed to go to the hospital in a cab during the night.

At eleven I called the desk and he had finished his intra-venous, hadn't had his hypodermic.

285

Sunday, January 4, 1942

The first time since November 25 I am catching up with myself on this thing, writing the same day that events have occurred. I called Mrs. Houchens at 8 a.m. She said that he didn't feel much better. He had taken his hypo about three. She had slept virtually none.

The children were so anxious to play in the snow that I bundled them up first and let them go out. They were completely thrilled.

I got ready, called a cab was told that it would be 30 or 40 minutes before I could get it. It came immediately though. I got to the hospital about eleven (left children at Hart’s) paid cabdriver $1.10 for my trip and Mrs. Houchens’ (55 cents each). John felt some better, but had potential nausea, he said. They had started another intra-venous of glucose. There were lovely pink gladioli from the Ayers.

I ate a dish of ice cream and ate (ed.-drank) some coffee in the cafeteria.

The glucose wasn't finished until three. The Fifes came by (Margaret, too) and later the Roberts-Betsy of all things bringing me delicious supper and a thermos of coffee.

I found that John Barriger was brought in today and is in room 324. He has a bleeding stomach ulcer, it seems. How many things do happen!

John's dressing seemed to be bleeding again, so I had Dr. Jackson (intern) and Miss Smith come in and dress it. Dr. Jackson said that it was not undiluted blood, that it was mostly drainage with some blood. When Dr. Hagan finally came he said that his retching and vomiting last night had caused some oozing. He is giving him vitamin K today. John took a little Coca-Cola, but didn't want more of it, or water.

Ann Couey and her mother spent the afternoon, with the folks at home.

286